All In with Chris Hayes Ex-Disney CEO rips FCC "intimidation" of ABC
7 snips
Sep 20, 2025 
David Remnick, Editor-in-chief of The New Yorker and a seasoned journalist, joins the conversation to examine the unsettling trends in press freedom. They explore the FCC's intimidation tactics against Disney and how these actions threaten editorial independence. Remnick draws parallels between today’s media environment and historical authoritarianism, highlighting the alarming erosion of free speech. The discussion also touches on the alarming precedence set by political pressures on law enforcement and its implications for democracy.
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Government Pressure On Broadcasters
- The Trump administration is using the FCC to pressure broadcasters and chill speech.
- Anna Gomez and Chris Hayes argue this threatens independent regulatory norms and First Amendment protections.
Past Culture Wars Vs. Current Coercion
- Chris Hayes recalls the 1997 Ellen episode and the Dixie Chicks backlash as past speech controversies.
- He contrasts those episodes with current government-led pressure, noting prior cases lacked overt FCC coercion.
FCC Lacks Power To Censor Content
- Commissioner Anna Gomez explains the FCC lacks authority to punish broadcasters for editorial choices.
- She calls threats to revoke licenses unlawful and a chilling of speech under the First Amendment.
