FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by President Trump, wants broadcasters to rally around the Star-Spangled Banner to celebrate this year’s 250th anniversary, suggesting, for example, that local stations begin “each broadcast day” with the Star-Spangled Banner or the Pledge of Allegiance.
On Friday, President Carr announced the Pledge America Campaign, which was developed as part of the White House’s Salute to America 250 Task Force agenda. The campaign is designed to “inspire Americans with a newfound love of American history, help them experience the beauty of our country, and ignite a spirit of adventure and innovation that will take our country to new heights for the next 250 years.”
The FCC said Carr is “heeding the call” made by President Trump with his Pledge America campaign. The campaign allows stations to “make their voices heard in support of Task Force 250 and America’s 250th Anniversary celebration by broadcasting patriotic, pro-American content that celebrates America’s history and inspires the nation by highlighting the historic accomplishments of this great nation, from its founding to today’s Trump administration.”
The station’s announcement comes after Kerr said he wanted to help local TV stations push back against national broadcasters over the amount they pay to produce their programs.
Mr. Kerr has also taken an aggressive stance in enforcing FCC rules to combat what he sees as left-leaning bias on some national networks. That included a threat to investigate local stations for “news distortion” if they aired “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Carr also said the FCC’s “equal time” rules for political candidates also apply to daytime and late-night shows that are not considered “real” news programs. The FCC is investigating ABC’s “The View” for possible violations of equal time rules after Texas politician James Talarico, who is running for the U.S. Senate, appeared on the show. Last Monday, Stephen Colbert said CBS lawyers blocked an interview with Talarico from being aired on “The Late Show” because they feared it would invoke the FCC’s equal time rules.
“The White House is leading the Honor America 250 Task Force to celebrate this historic event nationally and is specifically calling on the federal government and others to commemorate this momentous occasion,” Kerr said in a statement Friday. As part of this effort, I am calling on broadcasters to commit to providing programming that promotes civic education, national pride, and shared history. ” he said.
Kerr continued, “These types of shows are more important than ever as research shows that civics education is in rapid decline. We also have classic shows like ‘Schoolhouse Rock!'” Currently only found in online archives. Broadcasters are uniquely positioned to address these worrying developments by celebrating the remarkable story of American independence while also providing programming tailored to the specific needs of their communities in furtherance of their public interest obligations. ”
The FCC’s Republican chairman also offered an example of a “bipartisan” pro-American celebration.
Specifically promote civic education, inspiring local stories, and American history Conduct PSAs, short segments, or full specials Include segments during regular news programming that highlight local locations of significance to American and regional history, such as National Park Service sites Begin each broadcast day with the “Star-Spangled Banner” or Pledge of Allegiance Featuring music by America’s greatest composers, including John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, and George Gershwin Daily “Today in American History” announcements highlighting important events that occurred on that day in history Partnering with community organizations and other groups already working hard to bring to light America’s story of unity, perseverance, and triumph
