The topics of free speech and the First Amendment are in the spotlight after ABC pulled Jimmy Kimmel Live! from its lineup last week after threats were made by FCC chair Brendan Carr. In response, NAB CEO and President Curtis LeGeyt is now addressing concerns about the situation.
In a blog published to the organization’s website, LeGeyt made no bones about his stance on the topic.
“Broadcasters must be able to make decisions about the content on our airwaves free from government influence,” he shared. “The First Amendment affords our stations — and all Americans — this fundamental right, and the mere perception that broadcasters acted because of undue pressure is a problem for our credibility and the trust we have built with our audiences.”
After noting that issues about freedom of the press and freedom of speech have surfaced under past administrations as well, LeGeyt made a definitive statement against any such motion by the current administration.
“Today, we continue to see veiled threats suggesting broadcasters should be penalized for airing content that is contrary to a particular point of view,” LeGeyt wrote. “These attempts were wrong then, and they are wrong now. The First Amendment makes clear that broadcasters — not the government — bear the responsibility for editorial decisions. Local radio and television stations take this obligation seriously, working every day to reflect the unique and diverse needs of our communities, especially on sensitive issues. This is what makes local stations the most trusted sources of information. Ultimately, broadcasters are accountable to the viewers and listeners we serve.”
He continued by noting that the risk of political interference will “drive investment further away from local stations at the very moment we need more resources to sustain local journalism.”
“Make no mistake, NAB is fighting every day in Washington to ensure broadcasters have the scale to compete with national and global behemoths, to invest in newsrooms and local programming, to innovate and deliver freely available content to every American — whether on a television, radio, smartphone or car dashboard,” LeGeyt concluded. “But all of that is futile if we cannot fulfill our most sacred responsibility: reporting to our communities without fear of government retribution.”
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