President-elect Donald Trump Nominate Chairman of the Federal Communications CommissionBrendan Carr will oversee the agency that regulates America’s internet access, television, radio and other communications networks. According to the chapter he wrote, Carr believes the organization is ripe for change. project 2025 About FCC.
Carr will become FCC chairman after serving as one of five commissioners since 2017, when President Trump appointed him to the commission during his first administration. Previously, Mr. Kerr served as the agency’s general counsel.
The FCC may not be a familiar name to most Americans, but the agency enforces communications laws, administers programs to help communities access high-speed internet, and provides communications services such as satellite internet access. We do regulations, etc. But under the Carr administration, the agency could pivot to some new priorities during President Trump’s next term, with a new focus on fighting big tech companies and China-based carriers. There is sex.
In his chapter on the FCC, Kerr wrote that the FCC needs to change course and bring new urgency to achieving four key goals, including reining in Big Tech. project 2025a policy blueprint published by the Heritage Foundation.
Here’s what you need to know about Kerr’s priorities.
How will the FCC deal with tech giants?
In Project 2025, Kerr emphasized the need for a new approach to dealing with tech giants like Google, Meta and others.
“Today, a small number of companies can shape everything from the information we consume to the places we shop,” Kerr said in the document. “These giants are not just exercising market power, they are abusing their dominant position.”
The FCC should limit the following exemptions: Section 230; It’s part of a law that says tech companies aren’t liable if users post defamatory content and allows companies to “censor protected speech while maintaining Section 230 protections.” He wrote that it inhibits ability.
Carr also wants tech companies to be more transparent about algorithm changes and decisions to block or demonetize users.
What does Kerr think about Elon Musk?
Mr. Kerr has partnered with Mr. Musk, the world’s richest billionaire. supported the Trump campaign And its Starlink satellite internet service could benefit from access to federal funding.
In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Carr cited Musk as an example of how the federal government doesn’t treat its citizens fairly, saying that Musk’s roughly $900 million in grants to Starlink were “unlawfully revoked.” ” he pointed out. The FCC said last year it denied the grant because it lacked evidence that Starlink could serve hundreds of thousands of rural properties.
“It’s time for the American government to stop treating people differently based on their last name,” Carr told Fox News. “Everyone is going to take a pretty big hit from the government going forward.”
What are his views on TikTok and Chinese business?
In his Project 2025 chapter, Carr cited TikTok and other Chinese-owned companies as potential threats to U.S. national security.
“As law enforcement officials have made clear, TikTok poses a serious and unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States,” Kerr wrote. “It also provides the Chinese government with an opportunity to conduct foreign influence campaigns by determining what news and information the app provides to millions of Americans.”
That would put his views in line with those of the Biden administration and the president. sign the law Must sell TikTok in April or be banned from the US
Carr also wrote that he believes the FCC needs to do more to monitor and restrict Chinese communications and technology companies from operating in the United States.
What does Carr say about the station?
Mr. Carr attacked some broadcasters, including CBS News, and echoed President Trump’s claims that they engage in political bias. For example, Kerr cited NBC for featuring Trump’s Democratic rival Kamala Harris in a “Saturday Night Live” skit before the election.
“This is a clear and blatant attempt to circumvent the FCC’s Equal Time Rule,” Kerr wrote to X on Nov. 2. “The purpose of this rule is to avoid exactly this type of biased and partisan behavior by broadcasters licensed to use public airwaves.” to exert ”
After President Trump announced his selection, Carr said on the X show that he would ensure the FCC would “enforce” laws that require broadcasters to “operate in the public interest.”
President Trump has repeatedly called for the licenses of major broadcasters such as ABC, NBC, and CBS to be revoked. During the 2024 election period, Mr. Trump Sue CBS News In a “60 Minutes” interview with Harris, she claimed the network edited her answers in a “deceptive” manner. CBS News called the president-elect’s claims “totally baseless,” adding that he intends to vigorously defend against the lawsuit.
What are supporters and critics saying about Carr?
President Trump praised Carr in a statement announcing his selection, calling him a “free speech fighter.” Fellow FCC Commissioner Jeffrey Starks (D) described Kerr as a “dedicated public servant and recognized leader on many issues before the commission today.”
But some critics have raised alarm over some of Mr. Kerr’s stances, with the nonpartisan public interest group Free Press calling his relationship with Mr. Musk and his stance on broadcasters problematic. There is.
Craig Aaron, co-chief executive officer of Free Press Action, said, “Mr. When he threatened to revoke his broadcasting license, he refused to stand up.” statement. This alone should be disqualifying.
Free Press and Fight for the Future, advocacy groups focused on digital rights, both support net neutrality, a policy that ensures that internet service providers treat all websites and online content equally. They have raised concerns about this. net neutrality is turned over It was during the first Trump administration, restored during Biden’s term.
“President Trump’s nomination of Brendan Carr, one of the co-authors of Project 2025, to head the FCC is more than just a reversal of popular policies like net neutrality,” said Fight for the Future Director. , Evan Greer said in an email. . “Mr. Carr has made it clear that he actually wants the FCC to get more involved in policing online speech.”
