Taylor Lorenz’s Power User Trump's Censorship of Jimmy Kimmel Is Just The Beginning
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Sep 19, 2025 Ari Cohn, a prominent First Amendment and tech policy lawyer from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), joins to dive into the significant implications of Jimmy Kimmel's suspension after a joke that displeased the Trump administration. They discuss the concept of 'jawboning' and the government's growing influence over media. Cohn highlights the dangers of rising internet censorship, the impact on independent creators, and the troubling implications of proposed regulations that could stifle free expression.
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Jawboning Means Informal Pressure
- Jawboning uses informal pressure to induce platforms or broadcasters to suppress speech.
- Cohn notes many who once decried jawboning now celebrate its effects when it targets opponents.
FCC 'Public Interest' Framing Risks Abuse
- Brendan Carr is using FCC authority to police content contrary to historical FCC practice.
- Cohn warns that treating 'public interest' as alignment with political views breaks regulatory norms and risks abuse.
Multiple Government Arms Chill Speech
- Multiple arms of government are pursuing speech-restricting moves, creating a chilling effect.
- Cohn highlights the Attorney General's comments on prosecuting 'hate speech' and how such rhetoric lowers legal standards for silencing speech.