President FCC threatens to enforce equal-time rule on late-night talk shows | FCC disputes long-standing view that the shows are exempt from equal-time rule.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/01/trump-fcc-tries-to-get-more-republicans-on-late-night-and-daytime-talk-shows/
35 Comments
Now do Fox news.
Late-night talk shows (and every other channel/show) is exempt because the [Fairness Doctrine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_doctrine) was dismantled in 1987 under the Reagan administration, and the original rule underpinning it was officially revoked from the FCC rulebook in 2011.
Brendon “Dumbfuck” Carr can go suck a fart if he believes he has the singular authority to invoke it now against people he doesn’t personally like.
Just say his name 30 times.
I am lucky I am turning 70 tomorrow. I won’t have to live through the cleanup from this shitsorm.
Put them on but roast them hard
If we want to enforce the Fairness Doctrine, let’s start with Fox and talk radio.
Wait so the equal time rules don’t apply to news organizations but do apply to comedy shows? Wtf?
Why do we need to give Nazis equal time?
Sorry, sane people don’t have any interest in hearing your insane opinions about “shemales,” Muslims, or the religious beliefs you scold people about but don’t actually follow.
Who’s running, there are no candidates so no equal time anything.
They hate the constitution. They have enacted a coup like the business plot to overthrow Roosevelt but we don’t have a Smedley Butler to save us this time.
So, we’re trying to force people to stop watching late night talk shows now?
Give them equal time at 3am.
Oh won’t someone rid me of this turbulent FCC.
What idiotic children are in charge now, it’s amazing.
I’m old enough to remember when we made fun of the Soviets for shit like this.
Equal time sounds like some DEI bullshit.
Brendan car is a dummy.
Then equal time for everyone. Including EVERYONE?
Flat earthers, left-handed shortstops, and men forced to wear ladies scuba-diving gear because there are no men’s sizes that small.
Fake news?!?
Ohhh… please. Bring back the Fairness Doctrine!
“And to complete the second half of tonight’s monologue, please welcome — ROB SCHNEIDER!” 😳
Asshats really are trying to outlaw everything but conservative media.
My assumption is that equal time rules currently applies to appearances on “news” shows. Talk shows are entertainment.
Bring on the morons and shame them off the stage.
They need to book no one but George Conway, Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney, and Adam Kinzinger as their Republican guests if this happens.
Snowflakes are melting
It’s going to be selectively enforced.
Equal time for “Left” (progressives, socialists, moderates, traditional Republicans) vs. “Right” (authoritarian MAGA).
Even their official justification is propaganda.
There’s no shortage of right wing stuff. In fact I’d say more things at this point are hard right, lean right, or sanewashing right
How do you enforce the equal time rule when cowardly fascists won’t go anywhere they’ll get asked a pesky question?
There are entire TV channels of 24/7 rightwing MAGA nonsense, but suddenly late night comedy shows need to be 50/50?
Can’t wait to see actual communists get booked.
bring back the fairness doctrine.
How are they going to get a funny Nazi comedian?
What’s left of talk radio will love this. Also expect a first amendment challenge to the equal-time rule. Also considering the President has tweeted about how these shows should be cancelled because they are mean to him the selective enforcement will be brought up. If you’re Disney you want the ratings boost of Kimmel vs Trump.
Rob Schneider, it’s your time to shine!