UW Journalism Expert Raises Concerns Over FCC’s Role in Kimmel Controversy

The controversy continues after a portion of Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night monologue sparked backlash. ABC quickly suspended Kimmel’s program indefinitely. The move also follows public threats from FCC Chair Brendan Carr suggesting affiliates could lose their licenses, while also raising concerns over the FCC’S role.

We cannot function without a free and responsible press. When government actors wield power over what we can say, watch, or hear, it erodes the very foundation of a democratic society.

Dr. Kathleen Bartzen Culver, University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication

Dr. Kathleen Bartzen Culver, director of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication, joined Maggie Daun, host of The Maggie Daun Show, to explain why the situation is unprecedented and alarming.

“The situation is bananas,” Culver says. “What strikes me is that it looks outrageous no matter your political perspective. If you’re on the left, it’s about conglomeration and corporate power. If you’re on the right, it’s the government meddling in content. Both should be deeply concerning.”

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Listen to the entire discussion here:

Culver points out the FCC’s role is supposed to be neutral and independent, not politically driven. And she describes Carr’s language – telling networks “we can do this the easy way or the hard way” – as resembling “an episode of The Sopranos more than a statement from a regulator.”

The timing of Kimmel’s suspension is especially notable. It comes as ABC parent affiliates Nexstar pursues a $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna that requires FCC approval. It would bring the company’s market coverage of the U.S. to almost 80 percent. And current FCC rules cap any one company’s share at 39 percent. Culver shares why this dynamic creates the appearance of extortion. 

“It’s not the state directly punishing someone but influencing a private actor to do it. That’s every bit as big a problem,” she explains.

Critics are comparing Kimmel’s suspension to other high-profile media exits, including Roseanne Barr and Tucker Carlson. But Culver says there’s a crucial difference. Those decisions were made by the networks themselves, often in response to advertisers or lawsuits. 

“What we have here is government intervention in content,” she explains. “That should scare everyone, regardless of ideology.”

Despite disagreements over Kimmel’s joke, Culver believes the bigger issue is democracy itself. 

“We cannot function without a free and responsible press,” she says. “When government actors wield power over what we can say, watch, or hear, it erodes the very foundation of a democratic society.”

Learn more about a petition to asking ABC to bring Jimmy Kimmel back to the airwaves in support of free speech here.