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Hard Line on Big Tech: Brendan Carr, a prominent critic of Big Tech, will lead the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
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Free Speech Focus: Carr aims to protect “free speech rights for everyday Americans” and has accused tech companies of suppressing conservative views.
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Policy Shifts Ahead: Carr’s appointment may lead to loosened ownership limits on radio and TV stations and changes to net neutrality regulations.
President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Brendan Carr as the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr, a vocal critic of Big Tech and the Biden administration’s telecom policies, is expected to bring a tough stance on free speech and regulatory policies ¹. As the senior Republican member of the FCC, Carr has opposed broadband and spectrum policies, including the blocking of $900 million in subsidies for SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service.
Carr’s appointment aligns with Trump’s agenda to hold tech giants accountable for alleged bias. Carr has sent letters to major tech companies, including Meta, Alphabet, Apple, and Microsoft, accusing them of suppressing free speech ². However, Democratic Senator Ed Markey criticized Carr’s actions as “implicitly threatening private companies for their speech.” Carr’s critiques extend to major media networks, and Trump has suggested that networks like Disney’s ABC and Comcast’s NBC could face regulatory scrutiny.
The National Association of Broadcasters praised Carr’s appointment, calling him a “steadfast leader in holding Big Tech accountable” ³. Trump positioned Carr as a “warrior for free speech” who will reduce regulatory barriers. Carr’s track record suggests significant policy shifts at the FCC, including loosening ownership limits on radio and TV stations and opposing federal mandates on digital discrimination rules.
