FCC chief warns broadcasters over Iran war coverage

Brendan Carr, the head of the Federal Communications Commission, warned that US broadcasters could lose their licenses if they fail to serve the public interest while covering the US–Iran conflict.

Carr said broadcast licenses  are not a property right and can be revoked if stations spread what he called “hoaxes and news distortions.” His remarks follow criticism from President Donald Trump about media coverage of the war.

However, several Democrats pushed back, calling the warning unconstitutional. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren said the government cannot censor speech it dislikes, while California Governor Gavin Newsom called the threat unconstitutional.

The FCC regulates US radio and television airwaves and grants licenses to individual broadcast stations for eight-year terms. But it does not license major TV networks such as CBS, NBC, ABC, or Fox.