Brendan Carr Confirms the FCC Is Investigating ABC’s ‘The View’ Over Interview With Democrat James Talarico

The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, says his agency is investigating ABC’s “The View” over concerns that it violated the equal time rule with its interview with Texas Democratic Senate hopeful James Talarico. The confirmation comes two days after CBS’s late–night host, Stephen Colbert, claimed that the network barred him from airing on CBS an interview he’d taped with Mr. Talarico due to concerns about the equal time rule. Mr. Colbert, in a rant on Monday evening’s “Late Show,” told his viewers he was only allowed to post the interview on the “Late Show” YouTube channel, and that he wasn’t allowed to promote it on air or show Mr. Talarico’s picture. Mr. Talarico, a far left Texas state representative, has become a darling of New York’s media elites after he gained national promise attempting to resist Texas Republicans’ efforts at congressional redistricting. He is locked in a dead heat with Representative Jasmine Crockett – an outspoken critic of President Trump who also has a national profile – for the chance to mount a long shot challenge to the Republican nominee.On Tuesday, however, CBS has pushed back on Mr. Colbert’s claim and said it merely offered him legal guidance on how to interview Mr. Talarico without triggering the equal time rule, such as interviewing Ms.Crockett, who has appeared multiple times on Mr. Colbert’s program.During a press conference on Wednesday, Mr. Carr addressed reports that his agency was investigating “The View,” which is produced by ABC News, saying, “The FCC has an enforcement action underway on that, and we’re taking a look at it.”That investigation was triggered by Mr. Talarico’s February 2 appearance on “The View.” Ms. Crockett has previously appeared on the program to denounce Mr. Trump. ABC did not respond to the Sun’s request for comment by the time of publication. The equal time rule requires broadcast networks that interview candidates to provide equal time to their legally filed opponents. But for years, the FCC has sat idly by while shows like “The View,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Late Show” book almost universally Democratic guests, or, on rare occasions, Republicans critical of President Trump. In January, the FCC said that it is considering revoking the exemption for late-night and daytime talk shows. Mr. Carr said he is still considering revoking the exemption. He told reporters that broadcast networks will have to explain why those programs should qualify for an exemption from the rule, but said that neither CBS nor ABC’s corporate parent, Disney, has submitted filings to ask for an exemption. “People can come forward with their own showings and a petition for declarative ruling, but this is something that will be explored as part of the FCC case law,” Mr. Carr told reporters. “The idea is that if you’re a partisan political actor under the case law, then you’re likely not going to qualify under the bona fide news exception.” Mr. Carr slammed journalists for reporting Mr. Colbert’s claims.“There was no censorship here at all,” Mr. Carr said. “I think you guys should feel a bit ashamed for having been lied to and then just run with those lies. I think it was an embarrassing episode for the media.”Despite saying that reporters should be ashamed, he said that he was “highly enjoying” the “hoax.”While the FCC has not formally updated its equal time rule, the confirmation of the investigation into “The View” may lead ABC and NBC to consider following in CBS’s steps to ensure that their programs follow the equal time rule.

Brendan Carr Confirms the FCC Is Investigating ABC’s ‘The View’ Over Interview With Democrat James Talarico

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