Staff Reports
A high-ranking official at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is ready to throw the book at NBC News over a recent appearance by Vice President Kamala Harris on “Saturday Night Live,” the cheeky skit show that has somehow become a political battleground. The Vice President decided it was more important to engage in humorous banter with SNL alum Maya Rudolph than to focus on a campaign event in Michigan, leading many to wonder if the network is shamelessly playing favorites as Election Day looms.
FCC commissioner Brendan Carr isn’t laughing. He pointed out that Harris’s prime-time comedic cameo seems tailor-made to promote one candidate over others right before a major election. This blatant disregard for the FCC’s “equal time” rule reeks of bias. The equal time rule, initially put in place back in 1934, mandates that broadcasting stations offer the same airtime to political candidates when one of them is given the spotlight. It’s not rocket science; it’s an attempt to keep the political playing field level.
FCC Commissioner: Kamala's SNL appearance a "blatant effort to evade" EQUAL TIME RULE.
😡😡😡 pic.twitter.com/hbGv4Bpu7w— Sam Ghannoum (@Sam230560) November 3, 2024
Carr made it clear that broadcasters like NBC hold a privileged place in our media landscape, entrusted with a license that obligates them to operate in the public interest. The idea that a major network would sidestep these responsibilities is a slap in the face to that trust. It raises the question of just how far networks will go to influence public opinion, particularly when they have a streaming platform that could be amplifying voices across the political spectrum instead of giving in to their star-studded favorites.
The timing of Harris’s SNL episode couldn’t be more coincidental, landing a mere 50 hours before the polls open. It felt like a well-crafted trap designed to sway undecided voters right when they’re finalizing their choices. Carr has suggested that this stunt appears to be a calculated maneuver to bypass the FCC’s equal time rule. True to form, networks like NBC have already made a song and dance about how they wouldn’t dare breach such regulations—yet here they are, performing a tune that only their favored candidate can dance to.
Carr, taking a strong stance, is advocating for a thorough investigation of NBC’s actions, asserting that all remedies should be on the table if they’ve indeed broken the rules. There are even whispers of extreme consequences, including the potential revocation of licenses for the offending networks. While some may roll their eyes at the seriousness of it all, the truth is that the integrity of the electoral process and adherence to established rules are no laughing matter. Every broadcast network is subject to the same laws, and it doesn’t matter if the beneficiary is a liberal darling or a conservative champion. If the rules aren’t upheld, it sets a dangerous precedent for media manipulation ahead of elections.
