FCC probes editing of 60 Minutes interview as CBS considers settling Trump suit.
Summary
The FCC has demanded CBS provide the full, unedited transcript of a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, following a complaint and a lawsuit by Donald Trump.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by Trump, has reversed past media-related dismissals and launched new investigations into broadcasters.
CBS is also in settlement talks with Trump amid concerns over a pending Paramount-Skydance merger.
Critics argue the FCC’s actions constitute government retaliation against the press, raising concerns over First Amendment protections and media independence.
Hmm. Does the FCC actually have the authority to do that?
I mean, I don't know the details of the thing here, but their authority really extends just over what goes out over the air. I don't think that they have any special authority over the inner workings of companies, just because they happen to be in the news business.
They can ask for it, but that doesn't mean that CBS has to do it, and if they want to take it to the courts, then they're going to need to have a legal argument.
It doesn’t matter if they have a legal argument. They want to scare the execs at CBS Paramount so that CBS Paramount capitulates and gives in, just like ABC did.