October 25, 2026
Tell the FCC: Stop threatening the press for reporting polls
With Americans already voting, Trump’s FCC chair is invoking broadcast licenses to warn newsrooms about polls he calls “fake.” He does not have to explicitly threaten to pull a license for journalists to hear the danger.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr accused journalists of amplifying fabricated or suppressive polls, then invoked broadcasters’ license obligations and rules against news distortion. He named no specific offending poll or broadcast. That leaves newsrooms guessing which coverage could invite federal scrutiny.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez pushed back: good-faith reporting on publicly available polling does not violate those rules. But competing messages from commissioners leave journalists exposed. Carr must withdraw his warning and make clear that independent election reporting will not bring regulatory retaliation.
Fabricated polls deserve scrutiny. Journalists should verify sources, explain uncertainty, and correct mistakes. But those responsibilities cannot become a pretext for government intimidation.
The damage can begin before any formal punishment. A station manager may decide a poll is not worth the risk. A newsroom may soften its coverage. Viewers may lose access to important information because a powerful regulator made reporting it feel dangerous.
Americans rely on local news to understand elections, evaluate competing claims, and hold leaders accountable. When government pressure shapes what stations feel safe reporting, the public pays the price.
Broadcast licenses serve the public. They must never become leverage for shielding a president or political party from unwelcome coverage.
Carr must act immediately. He should withdraw the warning and publicly commit that good-faith poll reporting will not trigger retaliatory investigations, license reviews, or enforcement. Newsrooms need that clarity while it can still protect this election’s coverage.
Thanks for everything you do.
The Juggernaut Project
