U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe to discuss recent concerns about press freedom following the firing of comedian Jimmy Kimmel by ABC. Cantwell called for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr to testify before the Commerce Committee regarding his alleged attempts to influence licensing decisions based on presidential preferences.
Cantwell stated, "…Brendan Carr should come before the Commerce Committee and talk about his actions that look like he's trying to influence these decisions that are licensure decisions based on what the President wants, and that has no place in the FCC."
She emphasized bipartisan support for protecting local journalism: "I do think this has been a long position of Senator Cruz's, and I hope that he'll take us up on the chance to have a hearing because then you could expound on this in a very broad way and show the American people that there is a bipartisan move to keep local journalism per se in America. When you think about these broader issues here-- and you had some guests on earlier that are talking about media consolidation-- if you want perfect information, you have to have competition. You can't just have a one-sided story. So, the Wall Street Journal needs to be there, and the Seattle Times needs to be there."
Addressing media consolidation, Cantwell said it can harm journalism in America: "Now, enter the Trump Administration, where more and more of this content is being consolidated by people who might put it behind a pay wall. We want many, many voices like local journalism to exist. We want competition, and we don't want them to be intimidated off the air. We want them to be free to the American consumer, and we want that to be a diversity of voices. And that's what we should be asking Brendan Carr, how he's going to deliver on that, instead of shrinking it."
Cantwell has consistently defended Kimmel and criticized Chairman Carr’s actions since news broke of Kimmel’s dismissal from ABC. She argued Chair Carr lacks authority over free speech matters and connected Kimmel’s firing with Nexstar’s proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna—a deal requiring FCC approval.
Following these events, Cantwell joined other Democratic committee members in sending a letter urging Chairman Carr not to threaten media organizations over content disfavored by the Trump Administration. She also led Democrats in demanding Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz call Carr for testimony after threats were made regarding regulatory power being used against ABC.
During her Morning Joe appearance, Cantwell said: "Well, there might be something that Seattle and Houston agrees on, but really, America should agree that if you want free speech, if you want freedom of expression, you also have to have a free press." She further highlighted legislative efforts such as the Blackburn-Cantwell bill and COPIED Act aimed at ensuring consent and compensation for copying news online—measures she says are necessary as advertising revenue declines for local broadcasters.
Cantwell pointed out findings from a previous Commerce Committee report showing declining advertising revenues undermine local journalism while public trust remains higher for local outlets compared with online sources.
The interview concluded with appreciation from host Jonathan Lemire for Cantwell's participation in discussing these ongoing challenges facing press freedom.
