Trump v Broadcast Licenses

NightHawkeye

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Trump Threatens NBC License

President Donald Trump denied ever calling for a bigger U.S. nuclear arsenal and questioned whether FCC licenses should be taken from NBC television stations after the network published a story on Wednesday saying he had done so in a meeting with military and security officials.

“It’s frankly disgusting the way the press is able to write whatever they want to write and people should want to look into it,” Trump told reporters as he met at the White House with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trump’s denial was backed up by a statement by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. “Recent reports that the President called for an increase in the U.S. nuclear arsenal are absolutely false,” Mattis said. “This kind of erroneous reporting is irresponsible.”

Just to set the record straight, broadcasters are required to operate "in the public interest". According to reports I've read, NBC is licensed to operate 28 television stations, mostly in the largest markets in the country.

About 50 years ago the FCC revoked the license of the most watched television station in Mississippi for political reasons. The FCC cited the reason as "public interest" of course but it was political and the license was immediately re-issued to a group with strong Democrat political affiliations.

Curiously, the station which had its license revoked was the NBC affiliate.

Democrats have since that time repeatedly attacked talk-radio stations and had success doing so. Trump would seem to have a valid argument that "lies" broadcast over FCC regulated airwaves are hardly in the public interest. While broadcasters certainly have 1st amendment rights, the 1st amendment does not guarantee them license renewal. Just the way it is. The history in the country is that broadcasters do lose their licenses when they fail to operate "in the public interest".
 
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jazzflower92

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Trump Threatens NBC License

President Donald Trump denied ever calling for a bigger U.S. nuclear arsenal and questioned whether FCC licenses should be taken from NBC television stations after the network published a story on Wednesday saying he had done so in a meeting with military and security officials.

“It’s frankly disgusting the way the press is able to write whatever they want to write and people should want to look into it,” Trump told reporters as he met at the White House with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trump’s denial was backed up by a statement by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. “Recent reports that the President called for an increase in the U.S. nuclear arsenal are absolutely false,” Mattis said. “This kind of erroneous reporting is irresponsible.”

Just to set the record straight, broadcasters are required to operate "in the public interest". According to reports I've read, NBC is licensed to operate 28 television stations, mostly in the largest markets in the country.

About 50 years ago the FCC revoked the license of the most watched television station in Mississippi for political reasons. The FCC cited the reason as "public interest" of course but it was political and the license was immediately re-issued to a group with strong Democrat political affiliations.

Curiously, the station which had its license revoked was the NBC affiliate.

Democrats have since that time repeatedly attacked talk-radio stations and had success doing so. Trump would seem to have a valid argument that "lies" broadcast over FCC regulated airwaves are hardly in the public interest. While broadcasters certainly have 1st amendment rights, the 1st amendment does not guarantee them license renewal. Just the way it is. The history in the country is that broadcasters do lose their licenses when they fail to operate "in the public interest".

How about not letting him off the hook for this, and he's overstepping his boundaries?
 
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TLK Valentine

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Trump Threatens NBC License

President Donald Trump denied ever calling for a bigger U.S. nuclear arsenal and questioned whether FCC licenses should be taken from NBC television stations after the network published a story on Wednesday saying he had done so in a meeting with military and security officials.

“It’s frankly disgusting the way the press is able to write whatever they want to write and people should want to look into it,” Trump told reporters as he met at the White House with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trump’s denial was backed up by a statement by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. “Recent reports that the President called for an increase in the U.S. nuclear arsenal are absolutely false,” Mattis said. “This kind of erroneous reporting is irresponsible.”

Just to set the record straight, broadcasters are required to operate "in the public interest". According to reports I've read, NBC is licensed to operate 28 television stations, mostly in the largest markets in the country.

About 50 years ago the FCC revoked the license of the most watched television station in Mississippi for political reasons. The FCC cited the reason as "public interest" of course but it was political and the license was immediately re-issued to a group with strong Democrat political affiliations.

Curiously, the station which had its license revoked was the NBC affiliate.

Democrats have since that time repeatedly attacked talk-radio stations and had success doing so. Trump would seem to have a valid argument that "lies" broadcast over FCC regulated airwaves are hardly in the public interest. While broadcasters certainly have 1st amendment rights, the 1st amendment does not guarantee them license renewal. Just the way it is. The history in the country is that broadcasters do lose their licenses when they fail to operate "in the public interest".

And that, boys and girls, is why you should praise the government when they shut down the media...

...well, that, and if you don't, they might turn their attention towards you...
 
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Christie insb

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Trump Threatens NBC License

President Donald Trump denied ever calling for a bigger U.S. nuclear arsenal and questioned whether FCC licenses should be taken from NBC television stations after the network published a story on Wednesday saying he had done so in a meeting with military and security officials.

“It’s frankly disgusting the way the press is able to write whatever they want to write and people should want to look into it,” Trump told reporters as he met at the White House with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trump’s denial was backed up by a statement by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. “Recent reports that the President called for an increase in the U.S. nuclear arsenal are absolutely false,” Mattis said. “This kind of erroneous reporting is irresponsible.”

Just to set the record straight, broadcasters are required to operate "in the public interest". According to reports I've read, NBC is licensed to operate 28 television stations, mostly in the largest markets in the country.

About 50 years ago the FCC revoked the license of the most watched television station in Mississippi for political reasons. The FCC cited the reason as "public interest" of course but it was political and the license was immediately re-issued to a group with strong Democrat political affiliations.

Curiously, the station which had its license revoked was the NBC affiliate.

Democrats have since that time repeatedly attacked talk-radio stations and had success doing so. Trump would seem to have a valid argument that "lies" broadcast over FCC regulated airwaves are hardly in the public interest. While broadcasters certainly have 1st amendment rights, the 1st amendment does not guarantee them license renewal. Just the way it is. The history in the country is that broadcasters do lose their licenses when they fail to operate "in the public interest".
Today even "broadcast" stations are mostly transmitted by cable or satellite. So do these airwave rules even apply?
 
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NightHawkeye

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Today even "broadcast" stations are mostly transmitted by cable or satellite. So do these airwave rules even apply?
Cable networks are not obliged to operate "in the public interest".
 
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TLK Valentine

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Why should we let NBC off the hook for not operating "in the public interest"?

Because why should Donald be the only one getting a free pass?
 
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jazzflower92

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Why should we let NBC off the hook for not operating "in the public interest"?

Do you really trust someone with that excuse, especially if it's for personal vendetta? Sorry, but Trump shouldn't stifle free speech just to clamp down on criticism. He can tell them the story is wrong, but he can't shut them down.
 
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TLK Valentine

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jazzflower92

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As I posted earlier, Democrats have a history of attacking broadcasters they disagree with ... and of getting licenses revoked.

Two wrongs don't make a right. Trump shouldn't do this.
 
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TLK Valentine

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Do you really trust someone with that excuse, especially if it's for personal vendetta? Sorry, but Trump shouldn't stifle free speech just to clamp down on criticism. He can tell them the story is wrong, but he can't shut them down.

He's politically obligated to trust everything Donald says.
 
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Shiloh Raven

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Why should we let NBC off the hook for not operating "in the public interest"?

And who decides in NBC isn't operating in the public interest? Does Trump get to decide?
 
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TLK Valentine

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And who decides in NBC isn't operating in the public interest? Does Trump get to decide?

But of course He does -- Donald's decisions are not to be questioned.
 
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NightHawkeye

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And who decides in NBC isn't operating in the public interest? Should it only be Trump because of his totalitarian attempts to control everyone who doesn't submit to his presidential authority? Does he get to decide who to punish because his authority as president was questioned and challenged?
The FCC continually determines for each broadcast licensee whether that licensee is operating in the "public interest". That is a big part of the FCC's job.
 
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