Here’s the Roundup for the Week Ending February 14

Happy Friday and Happy Valentine’s Day to all who celebrate!

In this week’s edition of stories we didn’t post for one reason or another, we see the FCC has been busy cranking up its retribution machine. So far, every network but Fox News is being investigated for some reason or another. In a sternly worded letter, a few Senators say it’s political weaponization. Is the First Amendment under attack? Only time will tell.

The FCC:

• Washington (February 13, 2025) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.), members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, wrote to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Nathan Simington regarding recent actions taken by the FCC under the Trump administration demonstrating that the FCC is weaponizing its authority over broadcasters and public media for political purposes. Click here to see what they said.

• From Reuters: Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr told NBC News-parent Comcast it is opening a probe into the company’s promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion programs, according to a letter seen by Reuters. Click here for that story.

• From Fox News about the CBS investigation: CBS: Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr knocked CBS News’ conduct following the release of the network’s unedited transcript of its “60 Minutes” interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. The FCC released the raw transcript and footage it obtained from CBS News of its October 2024 sit-down with Harris that has been at the center of controversy. Click here for its perspective.

• The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday reinstated complaints about how ABC News moderated the pre-election TV debate between U.S. President Joe Biden and Republican rival Donald Trump, and appearances of Vice President Kamala Harris on CBS’ “60 Minutes” and NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” Click here for Reuters’ story.

• From the FCC itself on the “Complaints against ABC concerning news distortion, Fairness Doctrine violations filed by the CIA; petition for declaratory ruling filed by the ACLU; petition for reconsideration of bureau denial filed by the CIA.” Click here for more.

Revolving Door:

• From Mike McGuff in Houston: Baylee Bates had been an anchor on the KCEN 6 Waco-Temple-Killeen 10pm newscast as of last year, but with the untimely death of co-anchor, Kris Radcliffe in October, Bates now adds 5, 6, and 10pm duties with Lindsay Liepman (who returned to duty this week).

RIP:

• Former WBAL-TV education reporter Tim Tooten has died, according to the Baltimore television station, which posted a tribute to its “highly beloved” colleague Sunday. Tooten retired from the TV station in 2023 after more than 35 years on the air. Click here for more.