FCC Chair Urges Broadcasters to Air 'Pro‑America' Programming
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr invited stations to join a 'Pledge America Campaign' to air patriotic programming in support of Task Force 250 and a yearlong 2026 commemoration that began on Jan 1, 2026.
Overview
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr urged broadcasters to pledge to air "patriotic, pro‑America" programming through a Pledge America Campaign, citing options like starting each day with the Star‑Spangled Banner or the Pledge of Allegiance.
Carr framed the campaign as supporting the White House's Salute to America 250 Task Force and the administration's yearlong commemoration that began on Jan 1, 2026, citing declining civics education.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized the campaign as government interference and urged broadcasters to defend First Amendment rights, while the National Association of Broadcasters said it appreciated the FCC's recognition and offered tools for stations.
The FCC said broadcasters could voluntarily indicate commitment but noted stations must demonstrate service to the public interest when licenses are renewed, with the next renewal round set for 2028.
It is unclear what enforcement steps the FCC might take if stations decline, and observers noted pending mergers and regulatory requests before the agency could shape broadcasters' responses.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this item neutrally, reporting Carr’s pledge and quoting him verbatim while also giving space to Commissioner Anna Gomez’s critique and the National Association of Broadcasters’ response. Historical context (Schoolhouse Rock!, Bicentennial Minutes) is offered without evaluative editorializing, and loaded language appears only within source quotes.
Sources (4)
FAQ
The Pledge America Campaign is an initiative by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr inviting broadcasters to voluntarily pledge to air 'patriotic, pro-America' programming, such as starting each day with the Star-Spangled Banner or Pledge of Allegiance.
The Salute to America 250 Task Force is a White House initiative leading a yearlong commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence, which began on January 1, 2026.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez criticized it as government interference in broadcasting and urged stations to defend First Amendment rights.
No, participation is voluntary, but the FCC notes that stations must demonstrate service to the public interest during license renewals in 2028, with unclear enforcement for non-participants.
The National Association of Broadcasters appreciated the FCC's recognition of their role and offered tools to help stations create relevant programming.
History
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