Presidents Have a Long History of Using the FCC to Silence Their Critics

The actions taken by Presidents, particularly Donald Trump, to control broadcast media have been discussed in the news as unprecedented. However, this practice of using federal agencies to silence critics has a long history, dating back to Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

1. Historical Context

• Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) famously used the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to intimidate journalists and control broadcast media content.

• FDR aimed to silence opposition by discouraging critical reporting and punishing those who disagreed with him.

2. Role of Government Agencies

• FDR’s administration went beyond just economic policies and violated civil liberties, targeting free speech and press freedom.

• Examples include blocking anti-FDR broadcasts and threatening the licenses of radio stations that aired dissenting views.

3. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Involvement

• The ACLU, rather than protecting free speech, often aligned itself with FDR’s administration and supported his censorship efforts, reflecting a partisan stance.

4. Hugo Black's Actions

• FDR appointed Hugo Black to the Supreme Court, who misused his position to investigate and harass political opponents through the IRS and FCC.

5. The Kennedy Administration

• John F. Kennedy also used the FCC to attack conservative broadcasters critical of his policies.

• His administration implemented a successful campaign against these broadcasters, pushing many off the airwaves.

6. Lyndon B. Johnson's Continuation

• President Johnson continued this trend after Kennedy’s assassination, working against broadcasters who opposed him.

• The Fairness Doctrine was a key tool in these efforts until its repeal under Ronald Reagan.

7. Contemporary Implications

• Similar strategies have been observed with President Trump facing fallout for using the FCC, underscoring a pattern where Democratic presidents often receive more favorable media portrayal despite their similar actions against the press.

The historical account of U. S. presidents using the FCC to suppress opposition signals a troubling trend of federal agencies being politicized. While Trump’s recent attempts at media control have drawn criticism, this article highlights that such tactics are not new and have often been more successfully executed by Democratic leaders. The consistent theme suggests that federal regulatory bodies lean towards political partisanship rather than neutrality, raising questions about their reform and existence. 

https://mises.org/mises-wire/presidents-have-long-history-using-fcc-silence-their-critics