Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert are facing new scrutiny as federal regulators tighten rules on political appearances in broadcast television. The FCC’s latest guidance puts late-night talk shows at the center of a growing debate over political access and long-standing broadcast policies.
FCC’s new rule will affect Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert
The Los Angeles Times reports that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued new guidance targeting broadcast talk shows like ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! and CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
The FCC’s Media Bureau announced that broadcast stations must offer “equal time” to an opposing political candidate when a politician appears on a show, unless the appearance qualifies as a “bona fide news” event. This changes previous practice, which had exempted such programs from the rule.
The FCC stated, “A program that is motivated by partisan purposes, for example, would not be entitled to an exemption under longstanding FCC precedent.” The Commission specified that the new guidance applies only to over-the-air broadcast stations, not to cable networks or satellite television services. It also urged broadcasters to consult the FCC for compliance, likely prompting internal reviews of politically focused programming.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by President Trump, has taken a critical stance on major media companies. He previously withheld approval of Paramount’s sale until CBS paid Trump $16 million to settle a lawsuit. Carr also warned Disney after Kimmel’s comments about activist Charlie Kirk, stating, “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”
Democratic Commissioner Anna M. Gomez criticized the decision, saying, “This announcement… represents an escalation in this FCC’s ongoing campaign to censor and control speech.” She added, “The 1st Amendment does not yield to government intimidation.” Daniel Suhr of the Center for American Rights praised the change, stating it “puts Hollywood hosts and network executives on notice.”
The FCC also noted that the 2006 exemption for Jay Leno’s interview with Arnold Schwarzenegger no longer applies, citing a lack of evidence that current programs qualify for similar treatment. ABC, CBS, and NBC declined to comment.
