FCC Commissioner Slams CBS for 'Capitulation' Over Axed Colbert Interview With Democratic Candidate [View all]
Source: The Wrap
February 17, 2026 @ 10:20 AM
FCC commissioner Anna Gomez on Tuesday condemned CBS’ decision not to air Stephen Colbert’s “The Late Show” interview with a Democratic political candidate amid ongoing pressure from her own agency, calling it “yet another troubling example of corporate capitulation.”
Gomez, a Biden appointee who was confirmed to the five-person board in 2023, said in a written statement that CBS’ decision to self-censor was not necessary, and a direct result of the Trump administration’s attempt at intimidation.
“This is yet another troubling example of corporate capitulation in the face of this Administration’s broader campaign to censor and control speech,” Gomez wrote.
“The FCC has no lawful authority to pressure broadcasters for political purposes or to create a climate that chills free expression. CBS is fully protected under the First Amendment to determine what interviews it airs, which makes its decision to yield to political pressure all the more disappointing.”
Read more: https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/journalism/fcc-commissioner-anna-gomez-cbs-pressure-colbert-interview-democrat-candidate/
Link to tweet
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Feb 17, 2026
@AGomezFCC
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CBS is fully protected under the First Amendment to determine what interviews it airs.
That makes its decision to yield to political pressure all the more disappointing.
Corporate interests cannot justify retreating from airing newsworthy content.
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Anna M. Gomez
@AGomezFCC
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The FCC is powerless to restrict protected speech, and any attempt to intimidate broadcasters into self-censorship undermines both press freedom and public trust.
I once again urge broadcasters and their parent companies to stand firm against these unlawful pressures.
11:59 AM · Feb 17, 2026
REFERENCES
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143617386
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143617704
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