Trump threatens ABC: Why the American channel could be blocked.

According to Vox: The Trump administration is openly forcing media organizations to suppress uncomfortable statements.

On Monday night, comedian Jimmy Kimmel jokingly pointed to the conservative views of murderer Charlie Kirk and then made some jokes about President Donald Trump.

Two days later, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned broadcasters: If they continue to air Kimmel's show, the government could impose fines or revoke their licenses. Just a few hours later, ABC temporarily suspended Kimmel's show.

This sparked a fierce reaction among many conservative commentators. On one hand, the right has condemned censorship by the left over the last decade and emphasized the importance of freedom of speech. On the other hand, they believe that Jimmy Kimmel is bad and Donald Trump is good.

Some conservatives voiced objections to Trump's support for state sanctions against statements. Others, however, try to explain the behavior of the administration.

They argue that the Biden administration has dealt a heavier blow to the First Amendment than Trump ever did. Therefore, the liberal complaints about Kimmel's suspension seem hypocritical.

Nonetheless, this does not justify the behavior of the Trump administration, even if true. Attacks on freedom of speech deserve condemnation regardless of historical circumstances.

The openness and seriousness of the Trump administration's actions regarding freedom of speech cannot be compared with the actions of its predecessor.

Why the right believes the left is getting a taste of their own medicine

Trump supporters focus on the Biden administration's criticism for pressuring social networks to block critical posts with conservative content during the Covid pandemic. Republicans see this as a violation of the First Amendment.

The opinion of right-wing writer Mark Hemingway, that Biden's actions were far more lawless than Trump's, underscores this position: The FCC has 'legitimate regulatory authority' to punish broadcasters for spreading misinformation, while the Biden administration had 'no power over social networks' at all.

Trump's assault on free speech has no precedent

However, the FCC's measures under Trump represent a heavier assault on the First Amendment than the Biden administration's pressure on social networks, for two main reasons.

Firstly, Trump and Carr openly threatened companies with penalties for airing uncomfortable statements. On Wednesday, Carr warned ABC that its affiliates were at risk of fines and losing their licenses.

Nextar is currently trying to purchase one of the competitors for $6.2 billion, a deal that requires FCC approval.

Secondly, the Biden administration's lobbying was not aimed at suppressing uncomfortable statements but at improving public health.

The FCC does not have the authority to punish Kimmel for his speculations about murderer Charlie Kirk

In conclusion, contrary to Hemingway's opinion, the FCC has no regulatory authority to punish broadcasters for airing statements made by Kimmel.

The commission does have the authority to act against 'television misinformation' defined as cases where a broadcaster disseminates information it knows to be false, causing 'direct' and immediate 'public harm'.

Hypocrisy is no justification for tyranny

Conservatives are not wrong to believe that some progressive advocates of free speech are hypocritical. Nonetheless, the threat to shut down critically thinking shows by the White House is a far greater assault on political freedom than anything progressive activists or Biden have ever done.