WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez, who has emerged as an outspoken opponent of actions taken by Chairman Brendan Carr under the direction of the Trump Administration to probe content aired by broadcast licensees, has agreed to team up with various consumer and civil society organizations “across the ideological spectrum” to participate in speaking engagements and listening sessions focused on what says is “protecting the rights and freedoms enshrined in the First Amendment and fighting back against this Administration’s ongoing campaign of censorship and control.”
Censorship is just what those in support of the Trump Administration argue has been done by news organizations such as CBS, ABC and NBC, both before and during the second term of office for President Trump.
Gomez and others ideologically left of center disagree. “Since the founding of our country, the First Amendment has protected our fundamental right to speak freely and hold power to account,” Gomez said. “Today, the greatest threat to that freedom is coming from our own government. Silencing dissenting voices is not a show of strength—it’s a sign of fear. We must continue to speak out against this growing campaign of censorship and control before this dangerous new normal becomes the status quo.”
Over the last few months, Gomez adds, actions across federal government have demonstrated “an alarming pattern of silencing dissenting voices, including in the media and telecommunications sector.” She lamented the decision to investigate broadcast licensees for “editorial decisions in their newsrooms” and for “harassing private companies for their fair hiring practices.”
And, Gomez again alluded to the Trump administration’s “weaponization” of the FCC.
In a statement, Gomez said the events will provide a forum where the Commissioner “can engage with stakeholders and the public on the various ways the FCC is being weaponized to attack freedom of speech in the media and telecommunications sector instead of focusing on its core mission – connecting the public, protecting consumers, and supporting competition.”
The forums will take place across the country and will feature “expert speakers on freedom of expression and timely media and telecommunications issues.”
The first event is scheduled for Thursday (4/24) and is hosted by the Center for Democracy and Technology in Washington, D.C.
“Who Will Fight for the First Amendment? Protecting Free Expression at a Critical Time”
Time: 2pm-3pm
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
Register to join via Zoom: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/who-will-fight-for-the-first-amendment-tickets-1318962645779?aff=oddtdtcreator
Panelists:
- Commissioner Anna M. Gomez, Federal Communications Commission
- Alexandra Givens, President and CEO, Center for Democracy & Technology
- Kate Tummarello, Executive Director, Engine
- Alex Abdo, Litigation Director, Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University
- Sara Oates, Associate Dean for Research and Professor, Philip Merrill College of Journalism, University of Maryland
Information about future events will be shared at a later date.
