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  "description": "Demonstrators denounce ‘Carr, the censorship czar,’ calling for his removal.\n",
  "path": "/protesters-disrupt-carrs-first-fcc-meeting-since-kimmel-suspension/",
  "publishedAt": "2025-10-01T21:46:22.000Z",
  "site": "https://broadbandbreakfast.com",
  "tags": [
    "_commission’s livestream_",
    "_calling_",
    "_accused him_",
    "_to reopen_",
    "_a recent interview_",
    "_a video posted to X_",
    "_to revisit_",
    "_80 percent_",
    "_on Dec. 14, 2017_",
    "_in April 2017_"
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  "textContent": "WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2025 – Protesters interrupted the Federal Communications Commission’s meeting Tuesday, the first since Chairman **Brendan Carr** pushed to suspend _Jimmy Kimmel Live!_\n\nChanting “Fire Carr, the censorship czar,” demonstrators were swiftly escorted out by security after disrupting the meeting’s opening remarks. The outburst was captured on the _commission’s livestream_, where FCC Secretary **Marlene** **Dortch** appeared visibly unsettled before the audio briefly cut out. Carr, however, responded with a faint smile.\n\n“We can’t have a chair of the FCC that’s using his position to threaten free speech,” **Paco** **Fabian** , director of campaigns at Our Revolution told _Broadband Breakfast_. “Our message is clear: We are calling on Carr to get fired or resign.”\n\nThe meeting room protest lasted less than a minute, but outside, a box truck circled the FCC’s headquarters on L Street for hours with banners blasting the FCC’s policing of content, including a quote from Sen. **Ted** **Cruz** , R-Texas, _calling_ Carr’s actions “dangerous as hell.”\n\n###  _Kimmel suspension sparks free speech clash_\n\nTuesday’s events came two weeks after Carr made national headlines when lawmakers _accused him_ of “bullying” ABC affiliates into suspending late-night host **Jimmy** **Kimmel** , who had criticized Trump supporters for politicizing the assassination of **Charlie** **Kirk**. ABC subsequently pulled the program nationwide, though it was reinstated later.\n\nCarr went on a conservative podcast in September and warned broadcasters they may risk fines or license revocation if they continued to “run content that ends up being a pattern on news distortion.”\n\nSince becoming chairman, Carr has moved _to reopen_ news distortion complaints targeting CBS, ABC and NBC. Defending the move in _a recent interview_, he said the FCC needs to refocus its attention on holding broadcasters accountable.\n\nBut, groups behind Tuesday’s disruption – Our Revolution, Public Citizen, and Free Press – counter that it is Carr himself who should be held to account.\n\n“We need to hold the FCC accountable and Brendan Carr accountable for his actions threatening to shut down different media outlets because of their content critical of Trump,” Fabian said in _a video posted to X_.\n\n### _Activists warn of ‘dangerous’ media consolidation_\n\nThe groups also faulted Carr for “greenlighting dangerous media consolidation and serving the interests of billionaire oligarchs,” in a statement Tuesday.\n\n“Carr has sided with corporate power brokers like the Ellisons and Murdochs, working to create media monopolies that silence independent voices and undermine free speech,” the groups wrote, saying Carr was “eroding democracy.”\n\nThe uproar comes as the FCC prepares _to revisit_ broadcast ownership rules and consider consolidation requests, including Nexstar’s proposed $6.2 billion merger with Tegna.\n\n__A box truck carried digital banners denouncing the FCC outside its headquarters on L Street, organized by the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders.__\n\nThat deal would give Nexstar control of 265 television stations in 44 states and push its reach close to _80 percent_ of U.S. television households, twice the FCC’s 39 percent limit.\n\n“We are very concerned about the merger between Nexstar and Tegna. We hope the FCC doesn't approve it,” Fabian told _Broadband Breakfast_.\n\n###  _Wider concerns about power and politics_\n\nFabian argued the episode reflects a wider “pay-to-play” culture across Washington.\n\n“We’ve seen companies take action based on comments made by the FCC chair, so that any business they have before the FCC gets approved,” he said.\n\nHe also pointed to federal contracts awarded to companies like **Elon** **Musk** ’s SpaceX and Starlink as evidence of outsized returns on political spending, warning “this marriage between government and the oligarchy” also spans oil, media, tech and crypto.\n\n### _Past disruptions at FCC meetings_\n\nThe FCC appeared more prepared for Tuesday’s interruption than another major incident that took place the day the FCC rolled back Obama-era net neutrality rules.\n\nDuring the commission’s controversial vote to repeal net neutrality rules _on Dec. 14, 2017_, demonstrators inside and outside the FCC shouted “Shame on you!” and accused then-Chariman **Ajit Pai** of catering to corporate interests. Security removed several protesters from the hearing room as the 3–2 vote proceeded. The meeting was also briefly evacuated because of a bomb threat.\n\nEarlier that same year, _in April 2017_, activists from Free Press “Rickrolled” an FCC meeting – singing parody lyrics to Rick Astley’s _Never Gonna Give You Up_ to protest Pai’s early rollback of net neutrality.\n\nThe group that staged Tuesday’s protest, Our Revolution, was founded in 2016 by Sen. **Bernie** **Sanders** , D-Vt., after his first presidential campaign, and focuses on progressive policies and organizing.",
  "title": "Protesters Disrupt Carr’s First FCC Meeting Since Kimmel Suspension",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-11T05:45:07.194Z"
}