U.S. Federal Communications Fee chairman Brendan Carr. File
| Photograph Credit score: AP
The highest U.S. broadcast regulator on Saturday (March 14, 2026) threatened media retailers over detrimental protection of the Center East warfare, after President Donald Trump slammed vital headlines from the “Pretend Information Media.”
The President since his first time period has derided mainstream media as “pretend information” and has sued main retailers over what he sees as unfair protection.
Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Fee (FCC) — which oversees U.S. radio, tv and web media — stated broadcasters risked dropping their licenses over information protection.
“The legislation is obvious. Broadcasters should function within the public curiosity, and they’ll lose their licenses if they don’t,” Mr. Carr stated in a put up on X.
“Broadcasters which can be working hoaxes and information distortions — also referred to as the pretend information — have an opportunity now to appropriate course earlier than their license renewals come up.”
Mr. Carr’s assertion didn’t single out any information outlet, nevertheless it included a Trump social media put up by which the president known as out “an deliberately deceptive headline by the Pretend Information Media” on 5 tanker planes hit by Iran strikes in Saudi Arabia.
The Basis for Particular person Rights in Training (FIRE), a U.S.-based free speech advocacy organisation, slammed Mr. Carr’s “authoritarian” warning as “outrageous.”
“When the federal government calls for the press grow to be a state mouthpiece underneath the specter of punishment, one thing has gone very mistaken,” it stated on X.
Since Israel and the USA first launched strikes on Iran on February 28, each Mr. Trump and Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth have often swatted down vital tales as “pretend information.”
CNN pulled up
On Friday, each the Pentagon and White Home known as out broadcaster CNN after it ran a narrative suggesting Washington had underestimated Iran’s capacity to disrupt world oil site visitors within the Strait of Hormuz.
“This story is 100% FAKE NEWS,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated in a put up on X.
Mr. Carr final 12 months threatened the published license of ABC following feedback made by late-night discuss present host Jimmy Kimmel on the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk.
ABC briefly pulled Mr. Kimmel’s present after the threats, resulting in widespread outcry earlier than it returned to air.
Printed – March 14, 2026 11:00 pm IST