Freedom of speech is a foundation of American life.
We must obey laws passed by democratically elected representatives of the people. But part of the deal is that we get to make fun of, criticize, satirize and generally call out anyone with whom we disagree as long as it’s within the law.
This also applies to the public airwaves.
Of course, a network has the right to remove and cancel any show it chooses. But when it chooses to do so because it is clearly being pressured by the government, either directly or indirectly, to censor dissenting voices or else – this becomes problematic.
Which is a polite word for DANGEROUS.
Which is a polite word for A THREAT TO OUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
Which is a polite phrase for A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY.
Of course, this is only my opinion. And the opinion of many people smarter than myself.
This being a democracy you get to decide for yourself.
But to put this in context:
Jimmy Kimmel Live! was pulled “indefinitely” from ABC this week. He’s the affable, quite funny late-night host who has been doing political monologues nightly for more than a decade. Sometimes his jokes are controversial but mostly they are nothing more than gentle jabs at the powers-that-be.
In any event, those powers-that-be in the government, as well as ABC/Disney, the FCC and the far right, would have you believe that a joke he made about the current POTUS’ behavior in light of the tragic assassination of far right influencer/lobbyist Charlie Kirk, is the reason the Kimmel show was suddenly yanked off the air.
In fact, as you may know, it goes much deeper than that.
It involves government threats to blow up a merger deal for two right wing companies, who own ABC affiliate stations, to merge (Note: And thus exert more influence than any nationwide station group) that is worth in excess of $6.2 billion.
It involves ABC-Disney’s terror at those stations refusing to broadcast anything on ABC that doesn’t meet its approval (Note: That’s not how free TV works, for the most part).
It involves an FCC Chairman threatening the broadcast licenses of any network or station broadcasting entertainment that doesn’t meet, nee comply, with his personal approval (Note: His name is Brendan Carr, google him).
And it involves a sitting POTUS, who several day ago floated this idea about broadcast networks who give him too much negative coverage:
I think maybe their license should be taken away.
Personally, I find that chilling.
But of course, and again, it’s only my opinion.
Just know it was formed as a result of CBS announcing another program that frequently criticizes POTUS and the government, its The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, would permanently end its run in May 2026, thus enabling said government to approve the $8.2 billion merger between CBS’s parent company, Paramount, and Skydance, several weeks later
Despite some denials about that, I don’t believe in coincidence. Especially when billions of dollars are at stake. Not to mention the egos and extreme agendas of very powerful men.
But again, this is a blog so that’s merely me offering… an opinion.
It is up to each of us as citizens to read up on this ourselves.
So – here are some links on the issues in no particular order from a variety of sources. And…none of them are behind paywalls.
As I learned as a high school and college student in the 1970s, a time when the FCC actually had a Fairness Doctrine that required licensed stations to offer opinions on BOTH sides of an issue, it is our responsibility as citizens to speak out, especially when we think or fear free speech is being threatened.
That is why I wrote the following letter to ABC-Disney about the indefinite removal of Jimmy Kimmel’s show from its airwaves. To this address:
Disney-ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521-3515
Yes, Big companies and big networks actually do track snail mail. Something about its physical presence gives it a greater potency than a social media post or an email.
If you agree, I urge you to write your own, crib any portion of mine. Or to simply do nothing if you don’t agree with me or any of the articles referred to here.
You get to weigh in on any issue in any way you see fit.
That’s the way it rolls in our democracy.
For now.
To the Power-that-Be at ABC-Disney:
The cowardice your corporation has shown in taking Jimmy Kimmel’s show off the air is a sad betrayal of our cherished American right to free speech. It’s clear that threats from the FCC chairman and the pending merger of Sinclair and Nexstar are key to your decision.
But looming above all of this seems to be your sheer terror of, and thus capitulation to, the fascist authoritarian currently occupying the White House. Despite your army of attorneys and the public power your multi-billion dollar company wields, you’ve quickly relinquished your rights as an American business, betrayed democratic principles and gone running for the hills at the mere thought of getting on his “bad” side.
Of course, bullies and aspiring two-bit dictators only have one side. And there is no placating them. Ever. But I suspect you know that.
If you’re reading this and now thinking, “Well, Kimmel’s facts were not entirely correct in that joke,” perhaps you’re right. We all make mistakes.
So, now go through the last month‘s worth of Mr. Kimmel’s programs and then the last month of POTUS’ on-air public statements and tell me which have generated more incorrect facts – aka lies and half-truths?
And then tell me — which one is funnier?
Since money, and not the Constitution, is your thing, recognize you will make a hell of a lot more money with Kimmel’s funny than you will by turning your network into Trump TV.
And then morphing Disneyland into TrumpWorld – which will most certainly become the unhappiest place on earth.
Know I will be boycotting all things ABC and Disney Corp. from here on in and urging all of my friends, family and co-workers to follow suit. Subscriptions and all.
xxxxxxxxxx
P.S. – It’s not too late to change your mind and give something back to the country that enabled you to become so rich and profitable in the first place.
notes from a chair 