A bipartisan group of former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairs and commissioners has⁢ petitioned the ⁣agency to reconsider‌ its controversial news distortion policy, ⁣arguing⁣ it could stifle free speech. Current FCC Chairman Brendan Carr⁤ has publicly rejected the call,‌ stating, “How about no.”

The petition centers‌ around 47 C.F.R. § 73.1217, a regulation that prohibits the broadcast of⁣ false⁤ or misleading details that causes substantial ⁣public distress. The ​former ⁢officials contend that the standard for proving a “dangerous ⁤hoax” is exceedingly‍ high and rarely enforced.

According to⁤ the petition, any broadcast at ⁢issue‍ independently meets ​the⁢ high standard for broadcasting a dangerous hoax under 47 C.F.R. ‌§ 73.1217.

Who Signed the Petition?

the petition was signed by a diverse group of former FCC leaders, spanning both ⁣Republican and Democratic administrations:

• Mark ‌Fowler (Republican Chair, 1981-1987)
• Dennis Patrick (Republican Chair, 1987-1989)
• Alfred Sikes (Republican Chair, 1989-1993)
• tom Wheeler ‌(Democrat Chair, 2013-2017)
• Andrew Barrett (Republican Commissioner, 1989-1996)
• Ervin Duggan (Democrat⁤ Commissioner, ⁤1990-1994)
• Rachelle Chong (Republican Commissioner, 1994-1997)

this bipartisan coalition underscores the broad⁣ concern over the potential implications of the policy.

Policy History and Enforcement

The news distortion policy, originally adopted in 1949, has ⁢been the subject of​ debate for ⁣decades. Critics ‍argue it’s a relic of the past, ‌ill-suited for the ​modern⁢ media landscape and potentially vulnerable to First Amendment challenges. Proponents maintain it’s a necesary tool to prevent panic and protect the public ⁣from demonstrably‍ false information that could cause ​harm.

Historically, the FCC has rarely⁣ enforced the‌ rule. A Brookings Institution ⁢analysis notes that the agency has onyl invoked the rule a handful of times,and those instances​ frequently enough involved hoaxes wiht clear and immediate threats to public safety.

Carr’s Response and Current Status

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s succinct⁣ rejection of the petition ‍signals his intention to maintain⁢ the existing policy. ‌ ⁤Carr has expressed concerns about the spread of⁣ misinformation,especially during times of crisis,and⁤ believes the FCC has a role to play in ensuring the accuracy of information broadcast to the public. His position aligns with ​calls ‌from‍ some lawmakers for⁣ greater regulation of media content.

As of‌ November ​17,2025,the policy remains in effect,and⁢ the FCC has not indicated⁤ any‍ plans to revisit the issue. Further legal challenges ⁣or shifts in political leadership could potentially lead to a reevaluation in the future.