Brendan Carr's Actions Compared to Past FCC Chairman Newton Minow

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr's recent actions regarding TV stations have drawn parallels to those of former FCC Chairman Newton N. Minow, who served under President John F. Kennedy. In April 2026, Carr initiated a review of eight local ABC licenses, including those in major cities such as Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, citing potential violations of the Communications Act of 1934. This move has raised concerns among First Amendment advocates, reminiscent of Minow's earlier threats to revoke TV licenses for poor performance. ABC, owned by Disney, submitted its license renewal requests under protest, arguing that the FCC's order was unlawful and unconstitutional. Carr's focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at ABC stations contrasts with Minow's call for a wider range of programming choices. Critics of Carr's review, including a group of Democratic senators, have accused the FCC of overstepping its authority and acting as a censor in response to political pressures. Some Republicans have also expressed concerns about the implications of Carr's actions for free speech.