FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Contact: Daiquiri Ryan Mercado
Director of Advocacy, National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)
communications@nhmc.org | 703-634-9034
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, a broad coalition of 22 civic, civil rights, and media advocacy organizations submitted a letter condemning recent actions by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr that represent a dangerous misuse of federal regulatory authority to intimidate broadcasters and undermine press freedom.
The letter expresses concern over what the groups describe as the FCC’s “unprecedented weaponization” of its licensing and regulatory powers against major television networks.
“Regardless of administration, in the United States the press serves the people, not politicians nor government officials,” said Brenda Victoria Castillo, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition. “A free and independent media is fundamental to democracy and to the protection of every American’s rights. Chairman Carr and the FCC must recommit to serving the public interest, not the political interests of those in power.”
The letter calls on Commissioner Carr and the FCC to “affirm unequivocally” that the agency will not serve as a political enforcement arm or interfere in broadcasters’ editorial decision-making.
“A free and independent press is essential to a functioning democracy. The National Urban League stands adamantly against any abuse of government authority or any effort that seeks to intimidate or silence journalists, media organizations, or the communities they inform. The weaponization of regulatory power to punish dissent or control coverage undermines the First Amendment and weakens the democratic institutions that protect us all,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League
“FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has engaged in a pattern of abusing his government perch to coerce media outlets to censor content critical of the administration,” said attorney and Free Press co-CEO Jessica J. González. “This is the exact type of behavior that the First Amendment is meant to guard against. We demand that Carr recommit to his oath to uphold the Constitution and cease his interference with the editorial decisions of the media companies that he regulates.”
The following can be attributed to Chris Lewis, President & CEO of Public Knowledge: “First amendment protections of a free press apply to broadcasters and news organizations regardless of who is in power in the White House and the FCC. Chairman Carr must end his intimidation of media companies and threats of retribution for legal speech and editorial decisions he disagrees with.”
“Nosotros stands with NHMC and our partners in defending press freedom. Any attempt to use political power to silence or intimidate media voices is unacceptable. Guided by Ricardo Montalbán’s mission to uplift and protect Latino storytellers, we believe a free and independent press is essential to the truth, dignity, and democracy our communities deserve,” said Joel M. Gonzales, President, Nosotros Organization.
“For Latino journalists and media voices, a free and independent press is not a privilege; it is essential. It is how our communities are seen, heard, and protected. The FCC’s duty is to safeguard those voices, not silence them. We cannot allow political power to dictate truth,” said Fanny Grande, Chairwoman of the Latino Excellence Project.
“The FCC has no business interfering in constitutionally protected editorial decisions of licensees, and Brendan Carr is well aware of that. We know that because he said so himself plenty of times before he decided that the “public interest” is defined by President Trump’s political agenda. Carr’s weaponization of the FCC for the sole purpose of punishing licensees that air content his boss doesn’t like is Exhibit A on why the FCC cannot be permitted to meddle in American newsrooms,” said Seth Stern, Director of Advocacy at Freedom of the Press Foundation.
The full letter, sent to Chairman Carr on October 8, 2025, is available here:
National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a woman-led 501(c)(3) non-profit, bipartisan, civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward Latino and marginalized communities.
We educate and increase Latino visibility from our policy work in Washington, D.C., to our media advocacy work in Hollywood, where we connect, collaborate, and create with talent within the entertainment industry.
We lead the work to eliminate online hate and disinformation across media platforms. We advocate for the Affordable Connectivity Program, Lifeline Program, Net Neutrality protections, and closing the digital divide for Latino and other marginalized communities. NHMC works in partnership with other social justice organizations to safeguard democracy in the United States of America.
NHMC is a not-for-profit, and provides equal opportunities to all individuals without regard to race, religion, national origin, disability, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
Learn more at nhmc.org.
