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FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warns broadcasters over fake polls
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr has warned broadcast networks that airing “entirely fake polls and suppression polls” could violate their federal license obligations. Carr stated on social media that there has been a “significant surge” in such polls during the current election cycle, alleging they are designed to interfere with the electoral process and voter enthusiasm.
The warning follows an admission by Wedgewood Polling that it had published fabricated data. The firm described the fabrication as a “social experiment” intended to test media verification standards. The impact of these fabricated polls was noted in Michigan, where state Senator Mallory McMorrow indicated that a Wedgewood poll showing her in single digits negatively affected her campaign and donor support.
While Carr cited rules against “News Distortion” and “Broadcast Hoaxes,” legal experts and FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez noted that the threshold for such violations is high, typically requiring proof of deliberate misrepresentation of significant importance. Critics have characterized the warning as an attempt to influence editorial decisions regarding unfavorable polling data for Republican candidates.
Entities
Anna Gomez · Brendan Carr · Donald Trump · Federal Communications Commission · Mallory McMorrow · Wedgewood Polling
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The rule for Broadcast Hoaxes is a narrow prohibition on knowingly broadcasting false information concerning a crime or catastrophe that causes substantial public harm. www.alternet.org
- [● 11 SOURCES] FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned that airing fake or suppression polls could violate regulatory obligations. www.devdiscourse.com · www.alternet.org · deadline.com · gizmodo.com · conservativedailynews.com · +6 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Wedgewood Polling admitted to fabricating results. deadline.com · conservativedailynews.com · www.haberaktuel.com · dziennik.com · freerepublic.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] Carr noted a surge in fake and suppression polls during the current election season. www.devdiscourse.com · deadline.com · gizmodo.com · conservativedailynews.com · www.haberaktuel.com · +5 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez stated that a violation of news distortion rules requires a deliberate misrepresentation of something of significant importance. www.devdiscourse.com · conservativedailynews.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] Broadcasters are prohibited by federal licenses from engaging in News Distortion or promoting Broadcast Hoaxes. www.devdiscourse.com · www.alternet.org · deadline.com · gizmodo.com · conservativedailynews.com · +1 more
- [● 3 SOURCES] Wedgewood Polling described its fabrication of data as a social experiment. conservativedailynews.com · deadline.com · freerepublic.com