Backlash swift after Trump tweet on NBC
President Trump’s suggestion that NBC should potentially have its broadcast license challenged has prompted a wave of condemnation from both sides of the aisle, with many saying that such a move would violate the First Amendment.
Trump lashed out at NBC News on Wednesday after the outlet reported that Trump had suggested increasing the nation’s nuclear arms stockpile during a meeting with top Cabinet officials.
“With all of the Fake News coming out of NBC and the Networks, at what point is it appropriate to challenge their License? Bad for country!” Trump tweeted.
While the idea was roundly criticized as a threat to the free press, many don’t believe that the president would be able to follow through.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is in charge of licensing television stations, but it only grants licenses to local stations and not their national network affiliates. And even though NBC’s local stations do rely on FCC licenses, it would be highly unusual for the agency to revoke a license based on a broadcaster’s content.
“Not how it works,” Democratic FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel tweeted in response to the president.
Still, congressional Democrats have seized on the president’s statement. Many are demanding that Ajit Pai, the Republican FCC chairman, condemn the idea.
http://thehill.com/policy/technology/354971-trump-tweet-on-nbc-license-draws-bipartisan-backlash
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