Live Online Policy Forum 

# Free Expression Under Fire from the FCC 

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Date and Time 

June 9, 2026 10 - 11 AM EDT 

Location 

Live Online 

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##### Featuring 

![Christopher J. Lewis](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2026-05/christopher-j-lewis-circle.jpg?itok=Vgj7EQLM) 

Christoper J. Lewis 

President and CEO, Public Knowledge

[ 

](https://twitter.com/ChrisJ_Lewis) 

![Joe Kane](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2026-05/joe-kane-circle.jpg?itok=-iNl7O_j) 

Joe Kane 

Director of Broadband and Spectrum Policy, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

[ 

](https://twitter.com/thejoekane) 

[![David-Inserra-cropped.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2023-11/David-Inserra-cropped.jpg?itok=UVcZA19i)](/people/david-inserra) 

[David Inserra](/people/david-inserra)

Fellow for Free Expression and Technology, Cato Institute

[ 

](https://x.com/dr_inserra) 

[![Jennifer-Huddleston-img-cropped2.jpg](/sites/cato.org/files/styles/author_picture/public/2023-06/Jennifer-Huddleston-img-cropped2.jpg?itok=nA04B0o7)](/people/jennifer-huddleston) 

[Jennifer Huddleston](/people/jennifer-huddleston)

Senior Fellow, Cato Institute

[ 

](https://x.com/jrhuddles) 

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has long exercised significant authority over broadcast media beyond what is typically tolerated under the First Amendment. Under various chairs and presidential administrations, the FCC has overstretched its authority. Recent actions have drawn particular attention, such as when Chairman Brendan Carr publicly pressured and threatened to punish ABC/​Disney over a comment on *Jimmy Kimmel Live*. That incident does not exist in isolation, with friction between the commission and broadcasters steadily rising over the past 12 months over myriad issues including the unprecedented early review of ABC’s broadcast licenses. The FCC points to the public interest standard and policies such as news distortion and the equal-time rule to justify its actions.

How should such policies be considered in light of today’s media ecosystem and the broader values of free expression? Please join us for an event that will discuss how the FCC’s actions toward broadcast media are affecting free expression, what challenges these actions might face in courts, and how policymakers could prevent such abuse.

### Additional Resources

- [FCC’s Punitive Review of ABC-Disney’s Broadcast Licenses Shows Need to Protect Free Expression](https://www.cato.org/blog/fccs-punitive-review-abc-disneys-broadcast-licenses-shows-need-protect-free-expression), by David Inserra
- [Comments in Response to FCC “Delete, Delete, Delete” Initiative](https://www.cato.org/public-comments/comments-response-fcc-delete-delete-delete-initiative), by David Inserra and Brent Skorup

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