Carr on Saturday blasted broadcasters shortly after President Donald Trump called reports that Iran struck five U.S. tanker planes "fake news." In a post on X, Carr warned that broadcasters will lose their licenses if they don't "operate in the public interest." "We aren't on the verge of a totalitarian takeover," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., wrote in a post on X. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, a free speech advocacy group, called the FCC chairman's warning to broadcasters over Iran coverage "outrageous." "No one has a First Amendment right to a license or to monopolize a radio frequency; to deny a station license because 'the public interest' requires it 'is not a denial of free speech,'" Carr wrote.

Source: CNN March 16, 2026 01:27 UTC