6 ms·

FCC Chair Wants Networks to Pledge Loyalty for America's Big Bday

65 points by geox 8mo ago

mindslight 8mo ago
How do you celebrate someone's birthday when their wife just died? You still do, but it's more somber and bittersweet than joyous. Just like America's 250th with these fascists busy destroying our cherished societal institutions.
- cdrnsf 8mo ago
  It does feel odd celebrating the birth of an institution that's never looked so mortal.
  - joezydeco 8mo ago
    Or celebrating a Declaration of Independence when we've pretty much returned to rule by royals.
    - kelseyfrog 8mo ago
      I'm not against celebrating the Declaration of Independence. Especially this part: He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation. For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us. For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States. For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world. For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent. For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury. For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences.
      - mrguyorama 8mo ago
        Most of the Signers of that document were slaveholders. They didn't care about ideals any more than modern administrations. They were well connected opportunists who saw a chance to create a world that worked more for them: rich white guys.
        kelseyfrog 8mo ago
        Everyone knows that. How does that change anything?
        mindslight 8mo ago
        > They didn't care about ideals any more than modern administrations They obviously did, just like recent past presidential administrations both D and R did - by at the very least paying lip service to them. There was real value in that, and we took it for granted. The current regime is just as (if not more) performative, but they're signalling vices rather than virtues. Following that example makes for a worse society, regardless of how much we actually live up to the virtues in practice.
        jasomill 8mo ago
        I can't speak for the other signers, but Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration, was an idealist who didn't always live up to his own ideals, including but not limited to slaveholding. Jefferson, 1789: I am not a Federalist, because I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in any thing else where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all. Also Jefferson, 1792: (founds political party to oppose the Federalists) Machiavelli, ca. 1513: for many have pictured republics and principalities which in fact have never been known or seen, because how one lives is so far distant from how one ought to live, that he who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation; for a man who wishes to act entirely up to his professions of virtue soon meets with what destroys him among so much that is evil.
      - 8mo ago
afavour 8mo ago
The level of insecurity is something to behold. It's unfathomable that one of the major networks was ever going to run "Here's why America is Bad" as part of a 250th anniversary celebration. This entire pledge is nonsensical.
- stickfigure 8mo ago
  It's a broadcast of tribal affiliation and has nothing to do with sense. Time to re-read this: https://www.slatestarcodexabridged.com/The-Toxoplasma-Of-Rage https://www.slatestarcodexabridged.com/The-Toxoplasma-Of-Rag...
- Terr_ 8mo ago
  I'm imaging an upcoming wedding that seems to be going well, until the mother of the bride starts sending out messages such as: "Everyone is expected to meet at least a 'silver' contribution level of approved items on the gift registry. This is easy for anyone who deserves an invitation for this special occasion." It would be pretty foolish to just... ignore the subtext. I suppose in this case, an angered "momzilla" can get you fired, freeze your bank account, etc.
- jasomill 8mo ago
  I hope it's just insecurity. My fear is that it's a deliberate attempt to incite polarization, as if we don't have enough of that already.
mikestew 8mo ago
Could we just link to the original source instead of Gizmodo’s editorialized bad take? https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418890A1.pdf https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418890A1.pdf I’ll start by saying that it pains me to have to defend anything out of Carr’s mouth, but “loyalty” isn’t anywhere in that doc. Carr calls for a pledge to air PSAs and what have you, not loyalty. And when he complains of civic illiteracy, is he wrong? Ironically, how do we think we got into this mess of the current administration? Is Carr wrong in calling for the airing of things like School House Rock? Is it so bad to start the broadcast day with the national anthem? (Trick question, because when I was a kid some 50 years ago, I remember the broadcast day ending with the national anthem. Was never up early enough to find out what they did at the start of the day.) The way Gizmodo words it, you’d think Carr is requiring that all broadcasters air blatant government propaganda. And maybe the FCC document is just a dog whistle, I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong. But the original document takes about five minutes to read, and I strongly suggest you read it and judge for yourself, rather than get all riled up from TFA’s editorializing.
- hypeatei 8mo ago
  Carr threatened ABC's broadcasting license by saying they could go "the easy way or the hard way" after Jimmy Kimmel made a joke that offended MAGA. Why would we give the administration the benefit of the doubt here? They're obviously not a unifying force looking to make people love America again by making it better; I would liken them to a North Korean PR team.
  - cdrnsf 8mo ago
    They used similar threats to dissuade Netflix from buying Time Warner, influencing coverage at CBS News and so on. Carr is a sycophant in service to a narcissist with an incredibly fragile ego.
- tracker1 8mo ago
  Even then... the social cohesion in this country has lapsed so much in my half century of life that I can't help but think maybe we could use a little propaganda to come together more as a country. I can't help but remember one example of my youth to my son's youth a few decades later. When I was in school, the position on fights is if you have the ability to intercede to stop it, you have a responsibility to do so... by the time my son was in school it was, "don't get involved, get a teacher or call the police." It's just such a stark contrast to me that it's hard to fathom where things are now a couple decades further still from when I was a young kid in later elementary school and Jr. High. Without a shared society and cohesion, we're largely doomed as a society. I realize that some people actually want this, but I really don't. I want our nation and our people to be successful.
hedora 8mo ago
Well, at least they're creating an easy litmus test the majority of the population can use to filter out propaganda sources. Ratings of news networks with Trump-mandated censors are already in free-fall. This pledge will provide additional public signal to help viewers know which channel to switch to. It's amazing to me that censors still don't understand the Streisand Effect. I guess we should just take the small wins at this point.
pinkmuffinere 8mo ago
I'm disappointed by the discussion on this submission. Here's a list of things that would be encouraged by the main text of the request [1]: - The national anthem / pledge of allegiance (explicitly suggested by the text) - Civics-related stuff -- information about voting, how laws are passed, the branches of govt, the separation of powers, etc. - Arts that are "truly" American -- Blues, Jazz, Rock n Roll, etc. I know there will be disagreement about what counts as "American", but it's clear that there are some art forms that wouldn't exist without America's unique mixture of cultures. - Things about America's history -- speeches from George Washington/Lincoln/MLK/Other significant figures, the musical Hamilton, the emancipation proclamation, the text from the statue of liberty, discussion of Japanese internment camps, the history of Hawaii/Peurto Rico/Alaska/Any relevant state, etc I think those would all be positive. I'm sure there will also be some less inclusive parts that will endorsed by some broadcasters (I think discussion of that is good, but not endorsement). Carr's message is not asking for that, it's just encouraging an increased focus on America. [1] https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418890A1.pdf https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418890A1.pdf
- ImPostingOnHN 8mo ago
  "I think these would be positive" is fine. The problem is the rest of the sentence: "...and I am the government, and I order you to broadcast my message, and also you can't say these other things I dislike, or I will revoke your ability to operate at all." It's disappointing to see this point missed: this isn't a random person sharing their opinion, it is both government-mandated speech and literal censorship.
  - pinkmuffinere 8mo ago
    Did you read the text? It _does not_ order such broadcasting, your quote is made-up. Here's the closest quote I find: > Chairman Brendan Carr issued the following statement: ... "I am inviting broadcasters to pledge to air programming in their local markets in support of this historic national, non-partisan celebration."
    - 8mo ago
josefritzishere 8mo ago
This is very creepy. It's right out of 1984.
tzs 8mo ago
Here's is what Carr is asking: > That is why I am inviting broadcasters to pledge to air programming in their local markets in support of this historic national, non-partisan celebration. As an example, this could include: > • Running PSAs, short segments, or full specials specifically promoting civic education, inspiring local stories, and American history. > • Including segments during regular news programming that highlight local sites that are significant to American and regional history, such as National Park Service sites. > • Starting each broadcast day with the “Star Spangled Banner” or Pledge of Allegiance. > • Airing music by America’s greatest composers, such as John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, or George Gershwin. > • Providing daily “Today in American History” announcements highlighting significant events that took place on that day in history. > • Partnering with community organizations and other groups that are already working hard to bring America’s stories of unity, perseverance, and triumph to light With the exception of the one with the Pledge of Allegiance, those bullet items are things I would be completely unsurprised to find on a local PBS station. They would actually be pretty good things to include in a country's 250th birthday celebration.
- cucumber3732842 8mo ago
  Seems like a list of stuff nobody had to ask fore because it was already being done for the 200th.

65 points by geox 8mo ago

How do you celebrate someone's birthday when their wife just died? You still do, but it's more somber and bittersweet than joyous. Just like America's 250th with these fascists busy destroying our cherished societal institutions.

cdrnsf 8mo ago
It does feel odd celebrating the birth of an institution that's never looked so mortal.
- joezydeco 8mo ago
  Or celebrating a Declaration of Independence when we've pretty much returned to rule by royals.
  - kelseyfrog 8mo ago
    I'm not against celebrating the Declaration of Independence. Especially this part: He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation. For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us. For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States. For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world. For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent. For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury. For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences.
    - mrguyorama 8mo ago
      Most of the Signers of that document were slaveholders. They didn't care about ideals any more than modern administrations. They were well connected opportunists who saw a chance to create a world that worked more for them: rich white guys.
      - kelseyfrog 8mo ago
        Everyone knows that. How does that change anything?
      - mindslight 8mo ago
        > They didn't care about ideals any more than modern administrations They obviously did, just like recent past presidential administrations both D and R did - by at the very least paying lip service to them. There was real value in that, and we took it for granted. The current regime is just as (if not more) performative, but they're signalling vices rather than virtues. Following that example makes for a worse society, regardless of how much we actually live up to the virtues in practice.
      - jasomill 8mo ago
        I can't speak for the other signers, but Thomas Jefferson, the author of the Declaration, was an idealist who didn't always live up to his own ideals, including but not limited to slaveholding. Jefferson, 1789: I am not a Federalist, because I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in any thing else where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. If I could not go to heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all. Also Jefferson, 1792: (founds political party to oppose the Federalists) Machiavelli, ca. 1513: for many have pictured republics and principalities which in fact have never been known or seen, because how one lives is so far distant from how one ought to live, that he who neglects what is done for what ought to be done, sooner effects his ruin than his preservation; for a man who wishes to act entirely up to his professions of virtue soon meets with what destroys him among so much that is evil.
    - 8mo ago

afavour 8mo ago

The level of insecurity is something to behold. It's unfathomable that one of the major networks was ever going to run "Here's why America is Bad" as part of a 250th anniversary celebration. This entire pledge is nonsensical.

stickfigure 8mo ago
It's a broadcast of tribal affiliation and has nothing to do with sense. Time to re-read this: https://www.slatestarcodexabridged.com/The-Toxoplasma-Of-Rage https://www.slatestarcodexabridged.com/The-Toxoplasma-Of-Rag...
Terr_ 8mo ago
I'm imaging an upcoming wedding that seems to be going well, until the mother of the bride starts sending out messages such as: "Everyone is expected to meet at least a 'silver' contribution level of approved items on the gift registry. This is easy for anyone who deserves an invitation for this special occasion." It would be pretty foolish to just... ignore the subtext. I suppose in this case, an angered "momzilla" can get you fired, freeze your bank account, etc.
jasomill 8mo ago
I hope it's just insecurity. My fear is that it's a deliberate attempt to incite polarization, as if we don't have enough of that already.

mikestew 8mo ago

Could we just link to the original source instead of Gizmodo’s editorialized bad take? https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418890A1.pdf https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418890A1.pdf I’ll start by saying that it pains me to have to defend anything out of Carr’s mouth, but “loyalty” isn’t anywhere in that doc. Carr calls for a pledge to air PSAs and what have you, not loyalty. And when he complains of civic illiteracy, is he wrong? Ironically, how do we think we got into this mess of the current administration? Is Carr wrong in calling for the airing of things like School House Rock? Is it so bad to start the broadcast day with the national anthem? (Trick question, because when I was a kid some 50 years ago, I remember the broadcast day ending with the national anthem. Was never up early enough to find out what they did at the start of the day.) The way Gizmodo words it, you’d think Carr is requiring that all broadcasters air blatant government propaganda. And maybe the FCC document is just a dog whistle, I don’t know. Maybe I’m wrong. But the original document takes about five minutes to read, and I strongly suggest you read it and judge for yourself, rather than get all riled up from TFA’s editorializing.

hypeatei 8mo ago
Carr threatened ABC's broadcasting license by saying they could go "the easy way or the hard way" after Jimmy Kimmel made a joke that offended MAGA. Why would we give the administration the benefit of the doubt here? They're obviously not a unifying force looking to make people love America again by making it better; I would liken them to a North Korean PR team.
- cdrnsf 8mo ago
  They used similar threats to dissuade Netflix from buying Time Warner, influencing coverage at CBS News and so on. Carr is a sycophant in service to a narcissist with an incredibly fragile ego.
tracker1 8mo ago
Even then... the social cohesion in this country has lapsed so much in my half century of life that I can't help but think maybe we could use a little propaganda to come together more as a country. I can't help but remember one example of my youth to my son's youth a few decades later. When I was in school, the position on fights is if you have the ability to intercede to stop it, you have a responsibility to do so... by the time my son was in school it was, "don't get involved, get a teacher or call the police." It's just such a stark contrast to me that it's hard to fathom where things are now a couple decades further still from when I was a young kid in later elementary school and Jr. High. Without a shared society and cohesion, we're largely doomed as a society. I realize that some people actually want this, but I really don't. I want our nation and our people to be successful.

hedora 8mo ago

Well, at least they're creating an easy litmus test the majority of the population can use to filter out propaganda sources. Ratings of news networks with Trump-mandated censors are already in free-fall. This pledge will provide additional public signal to help viewers know which channel to switch to. It's amazing to me that censors still don't understand the Streisand Effect. I guess we should just take the small wins at this point.

pinkmuffinere 8mo ago

I'm disappointed by the discussion on this submission. Here's a list of things that would be encouraged by the main text of the request [1]: - The national anthem / pledge of allegiance (explicitly suggested by the text) - Civics-related stuff -- information about voting, how laws are passed, the branches of govt, the separation of powers, etc. - Arts that are "truly" American -- Blues, Jazz, Rock n Roll, etc. I know there will be disagreement about what counts as "American", but it's clear that there are some art forms that wouldn't exist without America's unique mixture of cultures. - Things about America's history -- speeches from George Washington/Lincoln/MLK/Other significant figures, the musical Hamilton, the emancipation proclamation, the text from the statue of liberty, discussion of Japanese internment camps, the history of Hawaii/Peurto Rico/Alaska/Any relevant state, etc I think those would all be positive. I'm sure there will also be some less inclusive parts that will endorsed by some broadcasters (I think discussion of that is good, but not endorsement). Carr's message is not asking for that, it's just encouraging an increased focus on America. [1] https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418890A1.pdf https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418890A1.pdf

ImPostingOnHN 8mo ago
"I think these would be positive" is fine. The problem is the rest of the sentence: "...and I am the government, and I order you to broadcast my message, and also you can't say these other things I dislike, or I will revoke your ability to operate at all." It's disappointing to see this point missed: this isn't a random person sharing their opinion, it is both government-mandated speech and literal censorship.
- pinkmuffinere 8mo ago
  Did you read the text? It _does not_ order such broadcasting, your quote is made-up. Here's the closest quote I find: > Chairman Brendan Carr issued the following statement: ... "I am inviting broadcasters to pledge to air programming in their local markets in support of this historic national, non-partisan celebration."
  - 8mo ago

josefritzishere 8mo ago

This is very creepy. It's right out of 1984.

tzs 8mo ago

Here's is what Carr is asking: > That is why I am inviting broadcasters to pledge to air programming in their local markets in support of this historic national, non-partisan celebration. As an example, this could include: > • Running PSAs, short segments, or full specials specifically promoting civic education, inspiring local stories, and American history. > • Including segments during regular news programming that highlight local sites that are significant to American and regional history, such as National Park Service sites. > • Starting each broadcast day with the “Star Spangled Banner” or Pledge of Allegiance. > • Airing music by America’s greatest composers, such as John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, or George Gershwin. > • Providing daily “Today in American History” announcements highlighting significant events that took place on that day in history. > • Partnering with community organizations and other groups that are already working hard to bring America’s stories of unity, perseverance, and triumph to light With the exception of the one with the Pledge of Allegiance, those bullet items are things I would be completely unsurprised to find on a local PBS station. They would actually be pretty good things to include in a country's 250th birthday celebration.

cucumber3732842 8mo ago
Seems like a list of stuff nobody had to ask fore because it was already being done for the 200th.