House Commerce Committee Democratic Leaders Urge FCC to Reaffirm Broadcaster Licenses Won't Be Revoked for Airing Protected Speech

House Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle (D-PA) sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai demanding the FCC reassure broadcasters that the agency will not revoke licenses for airing legally protected speech. On March 25, President Donald Trump’s campaign sent letters to certain broadcasters regarding the airing of an advertisement critical of the President’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The campaign team told the broadcasters that continuing to air the advertisement “could put [the] station’s license in jeopardy.”  Chairmen Pallone and Doyle wrote that such threats are contrary to the Constitution and the Communications Act. “At a time when autocratic governments around the world are using the coronavirus pandemic as an excuse to suppress press freedoms, we must reaffirm – not undermine – America’s commitment to a free press,” Pallone and Doyle wrote.  “By remaining silent, the FCC sends a disturbing signal that it sanctions these threats and that broadcaster licenses could be in jeopardy.”