Let Free Speech Prevail: The FCC Shouldn’t Police Journalism

AUSTIN—The State of Texas has always been a beacon of free speech. From the fiery debates that shaped its independence to the modern-day battles over government overreach, the Lone Star State has long embraced the principle that the best response to bad ideas is better ones — not censorship. That’s why it’s alarming to see the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigating CBS over its October 7, 2024, 60 Minutes interview with then-presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris.

The reality is that the 2024 Harris for President Campaign lost by a landslide, and no matter how frustrating media bias can be, using government power to regulate journalism is the wrong approach.

Let’s be clear: Conservatives have every right to be frustrated. The mainstream media has a long history of tilting the scales in favor of Democrats, and CBS’s handling of this particular interview has been widely criticized. But the First Amendment exists precisely to protect press freedom — even when we don’t like how that freedom is used.

The open debate and scrutiny of CBS’s decisions are exactly what the Founding Fathers intended, ensuring that journalists remain accountable to the public, not government regulators.

The complaint against CBS hinges on the accusation of “news distortion,” claiming the network edited the Harris interview to fit a 20-minute slot. But in order for this claim to stand, the network would have had to manipulate Harris’s answers in a way that misrepresented her views.

Let me just add, who will be next?

Will smaller more moderate or Conservative media outlets be the next in line to be investigated?

If and when a Democrat wins the White House in the future, will they aggressively go after Conservative media sites like Breitbart or even smaller independent state-level outlets like Texas Politics?

 Both CBS and the FCC have released the unedited video and transcript, making it clear that no substantive changes were made. CBS followed standard editorial practices — something every news outlet does when managing limited airtime.

For over 50 years, the FCC has maintained that it would only consider punishing a broadcaster in cases of clear evidence of deliberate manipulation. Now, however, the agency has opened the door to punishing a network for ordinary editorial decisions.

By inviting public comments on CBS’s choices, the FCC is encouraging the dangerous idea that the government should influence newsroom decisions. This is an unprecedented move, and one that fundamentally contradicts the First Amendment.

Congress has consistently advised the FCC to steer clear of content-based decisions, recognizing that government interference in newsrooms is a slippery slope. If the FCC makes an example of CBS, it won’t just be a liberal network that faces repercussions.

 When political power shifts — and it always does — free market outlets could be the next target. Any precedent set here will ultimately be used to justify further crackdowns, disproportionately harming those who challenge the establishment.

If we truly believe in free speech, we must defend it consistently. The FCC must reject this dangerous complaint and uphold its longstanding commitment to press freedom.

Rather than relying on government intervention, conservatives should continue to challenge media bias through robust debate, support for alternative platforms, and independent journalism. Texas has never backed down from a fight for freedom. It shouldn’t start now.