WASHINGTON, D.C. – Shortly after the November 2024 election, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr sent letters to the CEOs of major technology companies, including Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and Alphabet, requesting information about their content moderation practices. He expressed concerns that these companies, in collaboration with organizations like NewsGuard, may have engaged in activities that suppress certain viewpoints. Carr set a deadline of December 10 for the companies to respond with details about their use of fact-checking services and partnerships with advertising agencies that might influence content visibility.
In response, NewsGuard, a company that claims it simply evaluates credibility of news and information websites, refuted Carr’s allegations. They emphasized their commitment to providing apolitical ratings and raised concerns that Carr’s actions could infringe upon First Amendment rights. NewsGuard highlighted that their evaluations are based on transparent criteria and are not intended to censor or suppress specific viewpoints.
In mid-November 2024, then President-elect Donald Trump announced his intention to appoint Brendan Carr as the Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr, who has been an FCC commissioner since 2017, is known for his critical stance on Big Tech’s content moderation policies. He has expressed a commitment to addressing what he perceives as censorship by major technology platforms.
In early January 2025, Meta (formerly Facebook) announced it would discontinue its third-party fact-checking initiatives. This decision aligns with Carr’s previous criticisms of such programs, which he argued contributed to a “censorship cartel.” Meta’s move is seen by some as a response to the anticipated regulatory environment under Carr’s leadership at the FCC.
In a statement to Newsmax, Carr said he issued the letter because “the American people are tired of Big Tech censorship and media bias.”
On January 22, 2025, under Carr’s leadership, the FCC reinstated complaints concerning alleged bias in media coverage. These complaints pertain to ABC News’ moderation of a pre-election debate and Vice President Kamala Harris’ appearances on CBS’ “60 Minutes” and NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” The previous FCC administration had dismissed these complaints, citing First Amendment protections, but the current FCC determined that further investigation was warranted.
Brendan Carr officially became the FCC Chair on January 20, 2025.
