Commissioner Anna Gomez on the Future of Media Regulation

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez Sounds Alarm on Trump Administration's Crackdown on Free Speech

Washington, D.C. - Anna Gomez, the sole Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has been sounding the alarm on the Trump administration's efforts to crack down on free speech. As the FCC's investigation into Disney, the parent company of ABC, heats up, Gomez has written a scathing four-page letter to Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro, detailing what she calls a "sustained, coordinated campaign of censorship and control" against the company.

Gomez's letter, posted on social media, outlined the FCC's probes into Disney's diversity practices, its moderation of a 2024 presidential debate, and its booking of guests on "The View." She also expressed concern over the FCC's move to conduct early reviews of ABC's broadcast licenses in the markets where it owns local stations, calling it "the most egregious assault on the First Amendment this FCC has taken to date."

Table: Comparison of FCC Actions Against Disney and ABC

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Gomez's message to Disney was clear: fight back against the FCC's efforts to intimidate and censor the network. She argued that Disney's $15 million defamation settlement with the Trump administration did little to protect the company and set a bad precedent for the rest of the industry.

In a filing this month, Disney accused the FCC of taking actions that could "chill critical protected speech." Gomez was heartened by Disney's response and encouraged other broadcasters to prepare for similar fights.

As the Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of Trump's moves to fire Democratic FCC commissioners, Gomez's term is set to expire on June 30. However, unless Trump fires her, she is likely to remain at the agency, where her presence allows for a quorum that gives Chairman Brendan Carr the opportunity to continue enacting his agenda.

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Gomez, who has been a commissioner at the FCC for decades, expressed her concern over the government's role in the media landscape. She argued that the FCC's traditional role is to license broadcast stations and promote competition, localism, and viewpoint diversity, not to censor speech.

In an interview, Gomez discussed her decision to write the letter to Disney and her ultimate goal of encouraging companies to push back against the FCC's efforts to control and censor speech. She also shared her experience as a commissioner and her concerns about the potential consequences of speaking out against the administration.

Gomez's relationship with Chairman Carr is cordial, despite their intense disagreement on the issue. She emphasized the importance of maintaining a collegial relationship, even in the face of potential consequences.

As Gomez continues to serve on the FCC, she plans to continue speaking out against the administration's efforts to crack down on free speech and to promote a more balanced role for the government in the media landscape.