CBS didn't air Rep. James Talarico interview out of fear of FCC
Source: Hacker News
Stephen Colbert’s Interview with Rep. James Talarico
Late‑night host Stephen Colbert said CBS did not air his Monday interview with Senate candidate Rep. James Talarico (D‑Texas) because of concerns from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Colbert opened the show by noting Talarico’s absence:
“He was supposed to be here, but we were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast. Then I was told in some uncertain terms that not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on. And because my network clearly doesn’t want us to talk about this, let’s talk about this.”
CBS and the FCC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The unaired interview was later posted on The Late Show’s YouTube channel. In it, Colbert and Talarico discuss the FCC’s recent actions, including a probe into ABC’s The View after Talarico appeared on that program.
“I think that Donald Trump is worried that we’re about to flip Texas,” Talarico said, receiving audience applause. “This is the party that ran against cancel culture, and now they’re trying to control what we watch, what we say, what we read. And this is the most dangerous kind of cancel culture, the kind that comes from the top.”
Talarico accused the Trump administration of “selling out the First Amendment to curry favor with corrupt politicians.”
“A threat to any of our First Amendment rights is a threat to all of our First Amendment rights.”
Colbert criticized FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, suggesting the move was politically motivated:
“Let’s just call this what it is: Donald Trump’s administration wants to silence anyone who says anything bad about Trump on TV because all Trump does is watch TV.”
FCC Equal Time Rule and Recent Controversies
The FCC’s equal time rule prohibits radio and broadcast stations from giving airtime to a political candidate without offering the same opportunity to their opponents. While news interviews and talk‑show interviews with politicians are generally exempt, Carr has signaled a willingness to tighten the rule.
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On Jan. 21, Carr released a letter warning networks that the FCC is considering eliminating the exemption for talk‑show interviews, citing concerns about partisan motivations.
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Earlier, Trump suggested the FCC could revoke broadcast licenses of stations that aired content he disfavored. (See NBC News coverage: Trump FCC revoke TV broadcast licenses)
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Carr has also stated that daytime and late‑night talk shows must comply with the equal time rule regarding political candidates. (Source: FCC equal‑time rule for talk shows)
These actions come amid other high‑profile disputes:
- ABC temporarily pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! after Carr criticized comments Kimmel made about the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The show returned to the air after about a week. (Reference: ABC pulls Jimmy Kimmel Live! indefinitely)