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Is the FCC About to Become the Newsroom Censor? A Chilling New Deal Explained

You know that feeling when you read something and suddenly your eyebrows shoot up so high they threaten to merge with your hairline? That’s exactly what happened to me when I stumbled across the news about the Skydance deal and the FCC’s newfound power over CBS.

Here’s the gist: A recent merger deal involving Skydance Media and CBS has quietly handed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) what one commissioner is calling “never-before-seen controls” over a major news network. Translation? The agency that’s supposed to regulate airwaves and broadband could now have a say in what gets aired—or silenced—on CBS.

Why This Feels Iffy
The FCC isn’t supposed to be the speech police. Its job is to keep the airwaves orderly, not to dictate what news gets covered. But according to critics, this deal opens the door for potential censorship, especially under an administration that’s been, let’s say, enthusiastic about controlling narratives. Imagine a world where a government agency can lean on a newsroom to spike stories or tweak coverage. Not exactly a win for free press, right?

The Fine Print That’s Raising Eyebrows
The details are still murky, but the concern is that the FCC could use its regulatory leverage to influence CBS’s editorial decisions. Maybe it’s withholding licenses unless certain stories get buried. Maybe it’s “suggesting” softer coverage on certain topics. Either way, it’s a slippery slope.

What’s Next?
This isn’t just about CBS. If this kind of oversight becomes the norm, it could set a precedent for other networks. And once that door opens, good luck closing it.

So, what do you think? Overblown concern or a legit red flag? Either way, it’s worth keeping an eye on. Because when it comes to free speech, the stakes don’t get much higher.