Media Contact: 
Adam Cassady, (202) 418-2332
Adam.Cassady@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

COMMISSIONER SIMINGTON RESPONDS TO HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE LETTER TO CABLE PROVIDERS 

WASHINGTON, February 22, 2021—Today, members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent letters to twelve cable, satellite, and online providers carrying certain media outlets. FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington provided the following response:

“It is worrying that members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee have found it appropriate or necessary to apply the overbroad and vague label of ‘misinformation’ to any media reportage that calls into question their preferred political narratives, and have sought to intimidate into silence those who would distribute on their platforms disfavored points of view. This is particularly concerning because the House Energy and Commerce Committee supervises the Communications Act, and their statement could be read to imply that action will be taken under the Communications Act should the recipients not agree in advance to chill their speech. I share Commissioner Carr’s view that more, rather than less, speech is a desirable aim of public policy and the foundation of civic engagement, and I trust the American people to make up their own minds regarding to whom they choose to listen.” 

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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).