From Tom Jones | Poynter <[email protected]>
Subject A tiny FCC website change with big implications for the press
Date December 18, 2025 12:30 PM
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** OPINION
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** Why a single word disappearing from the FCC’s website matters for press freedom
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FCC chair Brendan Carr, shown here at an event in September. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

If you went to the Federal Communications Commission website first thing Wednesday morning, you would have read the following:

“An independent U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, the Commission is the federal agency responsible for implementing and enforcing America’s communications law and regulations.”

Note the word: independent.

However, if you went to the FCC website a little bit after noon Eastern time on Wednesday, you would have seen this:

“A U.S. government agency overseen by Congress, the Commission is the federal agency responsible for implementing and enforcing America’s communications law and regulations.”

Notice which word is missing: independent. (Axios’ Sara Fischer was the first to notice ([link removed]) that “independent” was scrubbed from the FCC website.)

So what happened? Why did the FCC say it was “independent” one moment and then have that word removed the next? Because FCC chair Brendan Carr, in fiery testimony during a Senate committee hearing, said the FCC was not independent.

It all started Wednesday when Carr testified in an agency oversight hearing by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico) repeatedly asked Carr if the FCC was an independent agency. Carr wouldn’t directly answer the question at first until Luján held up a screenshot of the commission’s website and said, “Just so you know, Brendan, on your website, it just simply says, man, the FCC’s independent. This isn’t a trick question.”

Then Carr stunned everyone by saying, “The FCC is not an independent agency, formally speaking.”

A short time later, the word "independent" was removed from the FCC’s site.

After the meeting, the FCC said in a statement, “With the change in Administration earlier this year, the FCC’s website and materials required updating. That work continues to ensure that they reflect the positions of the agency’s new leadership.”

Luján, however, put out his own statement, saying, “Chairman Carr continues to fail the American people by treating the independent FCC as an extension of the President’s corrupt agenda.”

It was just one part of a much-anticipated and contentious hearing.

The New York Times’ Cecilia Kang wrote ([link removed]) , “Democrats grilled Mr. Carr in the hearing over a series of threats he had made to broadcasters about revoking local broadcast licenses for content that is not in the public’s interest.”

Much of this goes back to Carr’s critical comments about Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night ABC show following the shooting death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in September. Kimmel had mentioned Kirk in a monologue, leading Carr to say on a conservative podcast, “Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel or, you know, there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

A day later, Kimmel’s show was temporarily pulled from the air by Disney, a decision that was criticized on both sides of the aisle — including Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who compared Carr’s threats to something you might see in a mob movie such as “Goodfellas.”

On Wednesday, Carr said his comments back in September were not meant as threats against Kimmel’s show. And Cruz wasn’t tough on Carr. In fact, The Los Angeles Times’ Meg James wrote ([link removed]) , “Cruz was conciliatory Wednesday, praising Carr’s work in his first year as FCC chairman.”

However, Cruz has been consistent in warning Republicans that if agencies like the FCC can punish the left for free-speech comments, then someday, when Democrats are in charge, conservatives could see their comments shut down. Cruz said Wednesday during the hearing, “ABC and its affiliates would have been fully within their rights to fire (Kimmel) or simply to no longer air his program, that was their choice. But what the government cannot do is force private entities to take actions that the government cannot take directly. Government officials threatening adverse consequences for disfavored content is an unconstitutional coercion that chills free speech.”

Cruz added, “Democrat or Republican, we cannot have the government arbitrating truth or opinion.”

Meanwhile, James wrote for the Los Angeles Times, “Despite the landmark Communications Act of 1934, which created the FCC, the agency isn’t exactly independent, Carr and fellow Republican Commissioner Olivia Trusty testified. The two Republicans said because Trump has the power to hire and fire commissioners, the FCC was more akin to other agencies within the federal government.”

Sen. Andy Kim, a Democrat of New Jersey, told Carr, “Trump is not your boss, so the American people are your boss.”

Kim asked Carr, “Would it be appropriate for the president or senior administration officials to give you direction to pressure media companies?”

Carr ducked by saying, “Sorry, I’m not going to get into hypotheticals.”


** Then there’s this
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In a Truth Social post, ([link removed]) President Donald Trump complained about an appearance on last week’s “Meet the Press” by Georgia Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and ominously said that TV networks “should be properly licensed, and pay significant amounts of money for using this very valuable Public space.”

Idle threat or preview of what Trump has in store?


** WBD discourages a sale to Paramount
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As expected, Warner Bros. Discovery told its shareholders on Wednesday to reject the hostile takeover bid by Paramount, saying Paramount — led by owners David and Larry Ellison — has “consistently misled” WBD about the financing behind the deal. WBD called the Paramount takeover bid “illusory.”

Earlier this month, Netflix agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery — including its film and TV studios, its gaming business, HBO Max and HBO — in a deal worth $83 billion. But, soon after, Paramount announced a hostile takeover bid, offering to pay $30 per share in cash, valuing Warner Bros. Discovery at just more than $108 billion, including debt. Paramount’s bid includes billions of dollars in funding from other backers, including sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. However, Paramount claimed its offer was “backstopped” by the Ellison family, meaning it guaranteed funding should the other investors pull out of the deal.

But WBD doubts that, saying, “It does not, and never has.”

What happens now?

Paramount could sweeten its offer. But for now, the Ellisons are still appealing to the shareholders that their offer is best. Paramount chairman and chief executive David Ellison said Wednesday, “We will continue to move forward to deliver this transaction, which is in the best interest of WBD shareholders, consumers, and the creative industries.”

CNN’s Liam Reilly wrote ([link removed]) , “This could turn into a long, drawn-out battle to win over shareholders. WBD board chair Sam DiPiazza told CNBC on Wednesday morning that the shareholder vote won’t happen until the spring or ‘early summer.’”


** More Reiner coverage
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Rob Reiner, shown here in September. (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Jake and Romy Reiner — two of the children of director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele — put out a statement Wednesday in their first comments since their parents were found murdered on Sunday. Nick Reiner, another son of the Reiners, has been charged in the murders.

In a statement, Jake, 34, and Romy, 28, said:

Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day. The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.

We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life.

We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.

Meanwhile, here are some more notable pieces involving this story:
* New York Times critic at large Jason Zinoman with “How Rob Reiner Created His Comedy Legacy.” ([link removed])
* The New York Times’ Ali Watkins with “Billy Crystal, Larry David and Others Remember Rob Reiner as a ‘Master Story Teller.’” ([link removed])
* The Ringer’s Brian Phillips with “Rob Reiner’s Death Was a Tragedy. His Life Was the Opposite.” ([link removed])


** Oscar’s big move
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Well, here’s a stunner. In four years, the Academy Awards ceremony will leave ABC, which has been home to the Oscars since 1976.

And even more surprising, the ceremony isn’t jumping ship to another network or even cable channel. It’s moving to YouTube.

So starting in 2029 — which will be the Oscars’ 101st presentation — the ceremony will be streamed live on YouTube. The service, which is owned by Google, outbid everyone else, including ABC, reportedly. The YouTube deal will run from 2029 through 2033.

Deadline’s Peter White wrote ([link removed]) , “It means that the Oscars, the red carpet coverage, behind-the-scenes content and Governors Ball access will be available for free around the world. The pact also includes access for YouTube for events such as the Governors Awards, the Oscars Nominations Announcement, the Oscars Nominees Luncheon, the Student Academy Awards, the Scientific and Technical Awards, Academy member and filmmaker interviews, film education programs, and podcasts.”

Considering all the complementary programming aside from the actual ceremony, it actually makes sense to go to a place such as YouTube.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy president Lynette Howell Taylor said in a joint statement, “The Academy is an international organization, and this partnership will allow us to expand access to the work of the Academy to the largest worldwide audience possible — which will be beneficial for our Academy members and the film community. This collaboration will leverage YouTube’s vast reach and infuse the Oscars and other Academy programming with innovative opportunities for engagement while honoring our legacy. We will be able to celebrate cinema, inspire new generations of filmmakers and provide access to our film history on an unprecedented global scale.”

What about ABC, which has been the home of the Oscars for five decades? Consider this: In 1976, when ABC first televised the Oscars, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” won Best Picture, beating out films such as “Jaws” and “Dog Day Afternoon.”

White wrote for Deadline, “While on the surface, the move appears to be a blow for ABC, whose exclusive negotiating window expired earlier this year, insiders suggest that it’s a relief. Deadline understands that the amount of money that the Academy was looking for and the amount that YouTube was willing to pay, didn’t make sense for Disney, which has modernized the event but has faced challenges given the nature of the types of films that generally make up the Oscar winners.”

ABC will continue to air the Oscar ceremony for the next three years.


** Media tidbits
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* FBI deputy director Dan Bongino will step down next month after a tumultuous, less-than-a-year stint in the Trump administration. (He started in February.) Trump said Wednesday, “Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show.” So, yeah, look for Bongino to go back to podcasting. It also wouldn’t be surprising to see him end up with a regular gig on a place like Fox News.
* Legendary journalist Peter Arnett has died. He was 91. Arnett won a Pulitzer Prize in International Reporting for his coverage of the Vietnam War in 1966 while working for The Associated Press. He might be best known for his contributions to CNN, giving live reports as the first Gulf War broke out in 1991. The AP’s John Rogers wrote ([link removed]) , “While almost all Western reporters had fled Baghdad in the days before the U.S.-led attack, Arnett stayed. As missiles began raining on the city, he broadcast a live account by cellphone from his hotel room.” Rogers’ story has more on Arnett’s storied career.
* The Associated Press’ Larry Neumeister with “Judge refuses to grant Sarah Palin a new trial in her libel lawsuit against The New York Times.” ([link removed])
* Mediaite’s Colby Hall with “Media in 2025: An Uncomfortable Reflection on How It All Fractured.” ([link removed])
* Axios’ Sara Fischer with “Scripps rejects Sinclair's hostile bid.” ([link removed])
* CNN’s Betsy Klein with “‘Here we go again’: Melania Trump documentary teases inside look at her return to the White House.” ([link removed])
* Netflix is partnering with the sports-centric media/podcast site, Barstool Sports. What does it all mean? Here’s The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand with “Netflix partnering with Barstool, removing ‘Pardon My Take’ video from YouTube.” ([link removed])
* The New Yorker’s Kyle Chayka writes about AI in “The Year in Slop.” ([link removed])
* Be sure to check out the latest episode of “The Poynter Report Podcast.” ([link removed]) My guest is Katie Sanders, editor-in-chief of Poynter’s PolitiFact. We discuss PolitiFact’s 2025 Lie of the Year.


** Hot type
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* It’s not all bad news, you know. Here’s The Associated Press’ Michael Melia with “Good news: Behind the scenes of some of the most uplifting stories of 2025.” ([link removed])
* The New York Times with “The 25 Most Notable Movies of 2025.” ([link removed])


** More resources for journalists
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* Upcoming deadline: Join 650+ women leaders transformed by this leadership program since 2015. Apply by Dec. 15 ([link removed]) .
* Interested in learning more about funding local news? Start here ([link removed]) .
* Amp up your editing skills, improve your work life and advance your career with Poynter’s ACES Certificates ([link removed]) .
* Join 300 newsrooms receiving free digital preservation training. Apply by Jan. 9, 2026 ([link removed]) .

Have feedback or a tip? Email Poynter senior media writer Tom Jones at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

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