How Trump’s FCC Is Policing Speech on TV Networks: Explainer

President Donald Trump has long complained about what he sees as unfair treatment from the major television networks. Now he’s employing a new enforcer in the fight: the Federal Communications Commission.

The FCC has broad powers over broadcast station licenses and media mergers, and under Trump it has begun to police speech through a combination of bluster, legal leverage and updated guidance of its “equal time” rule.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on March 14 threatened broadcasters with cancellation of their licenses if they did not “correct course” on news coverage. He posted the message on social media on top ...