Democrats introduce bill to protect free speech following Kimmel suspension

AYLESBURY (AP):

After ABC suspended comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show following a threat from the head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), congressional Democrats have denounced the Trump administration’s threats against political critics and unveiled a bill that would bolster free speech protections against government officials.

While the bill is unlikely to gain traction in a Republican-controlled Congress, Democrats harshly criticised the Trump administration for pressuring ABC toward the suspension of Kimmel’s show, following his comments on how Republicans were responding to the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel said earlier this week that “Many in MAGA land are working very hard to capitalise on” the assassination and that President Donald Trump’s political supporters were trying to characterise the man charged in the attack “as anything other than one of them”.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr subsequently called Kimmel’s comments “truly sick” and said his agency has a strong case for holding Kimmel network parent Walt Disney Co accountable for spreading misinformation. Disney is seeking approval from the FCC for ESPN’s acquisition of the NFL Network.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Carr should be fired.

The hosts of The View on ABC often talk about the hot-button issues of the day, but on Thursday were silent on the elephant in the room – the suspension of their network colleague Kimmel.

The co-hosts typically weigh in on major headlines and were outspoken about the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s CBS programme The Late Show, in July.

Thursday was Haines’ birthday but the Instagram post celebrating her 48th year milestone was swamped by angry fans threatening to stop tuning in.

“Please, please, please stand up and be counted,” wrote one user. “This is who you are: brave, topical, forthright, honest and true.”

TRUMP SAYS ‘ANYBODY’ CAN REPLACE KIMMEL

“Anybody can replace him. The guy had no talent,” Donald Trump said when a reporter asked who he’d like to see replace Kimmel.

The network’s decision followed comments by Carr, Trump’s choice to head the FCC, warning that the broadcaster and its local affiliates could face consequences if Kimmel was not punished.

Trump told reporters on Air Force One that “ninety seven per cent” of some network coverage was negative toward him.

“They give me only bad publicity or press,” Trump said. “They’re getting a licence, I think maybe their licence should be taken away. It’s up to Brendan Carr.”

“He loves our country and he’s a tough guy,” Trump said of Carr.

Free speech experts said Kimmel could have a strong legal case against Carr, especially after the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in May that public officials can’t use their power to punish speech.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote then that “the First Amendment prohibits government officials from wielding their power selectively to punish or suppress speech, directly or through private intermediaries”.

In comments Wednesday before Kimmel’s suspension, Carr said, “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

Alex Abdo, of Columbia University’s Knight First Amendment Institute, said Carr’s comments read like “the definition of unconstitutional coercion”.

But Kimmel may not want to sue for “all kinds of business and even contractual reasons”, said Eugene Volokh, a UCLA law professor.

Even so, Volokh said, “This just isn’t something the chair of the FCC ought to be doing, policing comedy shows.”

Schumer is calling for the resignation or firing of Carr following his threats that may have led to ABC’s suspension of Kimmel.

“What Brendan Carr is doing is despicable,” Schumer, a New York Democrat, said in a social media video. “What he did to Jimmy Kimmel, he is doing to person after person, to network after network — intimidating them and threatening them.”