FCC boss signals major crackdown on TV networks pushing 'fake polls' ahead of the midterms
FCC Chair Warns Broadcasters About “Fake Polls” Ahead of Midterms
Washington, D.C. – A potential new set of FCC guidelines could reshape how broadcast television stations handle polling data in the lead‑up to the 2024 elections.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, speaking on the “Sunday Briefing,” said the agency is reviewing rules that govern broadcast television—a medium that operates under federal licenses and is bound by a public‑interest obligation that does not apply to cable or online services. Carr warned that “fake polls” that could suppress voter turnout are a growing concern, especially in a politically charged environment.
Carr noted that broadcasters have a responsibility to serve the public interest, citing the fact that they receive “billions of dollars in taxpayer‑funded distribution.” “They are supposed to operate in the public interest, not for a narrow partisan agenda,” he said.
Possible Guidance on Polling Practices
The FCC is reportedly preparing guidance that would remind broadcasters not to air polling results that are false or misleading, particularly if those polls could influence or suppress voters before the fall midterms. Carr said the agency might issue the guidance soon.
He also referenced the possibility that compliance could influence future license renewals. “We are looking at a lot of actions,” Carr said. “The FCC may put guidance out soon to remind broadcasters about their obligations with respect to not airing fake polls, particularly if they’re done to suppress people heading into the fall.”
Context: Trump’s Criticism of NBC Anchor
Carr’s remarks came after President Donald Trump publicly criticized NBC News’ moderator Kristen Welker on August 30 for a segment that discussed Trump’s record of endorsing candidates in the primaries. Trump took to Truth Social to call Welker a “fake press” and accused her of mischaracterizing his endorsement record, specifically pointing to her remarks on Senator Darline Graham.
In response, NBC News issued a statement defending Welker, calling her “one of the best in the business.” An NBC spokesperson said the network stood by the anchor after the president’s threat.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez Responds
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez took to X (formerly Twitter) to rebuke the idea that the FCC could penalize journalists. “The FCC has no authority to punish reporters this administration doesn’t like,” Gomez wrote. “These threats to press freedom are dangerous. They undermine the foundation of our democracy, and they have no place in it.”
Broader Implications
The FCC’s potential guidance on fake polls is part of a larger effort to ensure that broadcast stations, which are regulated by federal law, maintain the integrity of information they air. The agency has long upheld the principle that broadcast stations must serve the public interest, a standard that carries into license renewal decisions.
The upcoming guidance will be closely watched by broadcasters, political parties, and civil‑rights groups. While the FCC has not yet released the final policy, industry analysts say the new rules could impose stricter scrutiny on any polling data that is broadcast during election cycles.
As the 2024 midterm elections draw nearer, the FCC’s approach to handling misinformation on the public airwaves may set a precedent for how broadcast media is regulated during future political campaigns.