Conservative media is at odds over President Biden's FCC pick

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In an unexpected twist, two conservative news networks — Newsmax and One America News Network— have come out in support of President Biden's progressive Federal Communications Commission nominee Gigi Sohn [Senior Fellow and Public Advocate at the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society], despite a broad conservative consensus against her. If Sohn is confirmed, her appointment would give Democrats the majority they need to rewrite regulations for the communications sector. Some high-profile conservatives argue that could result in "censorship" against them. Sohn was on the same side as both Newsmax and OAN in opposing the Sinclair-Tribune deal. Smaller conservative networks have more to gain from Sohn's record favoring independent programmers. The broadcast industry said via a statement from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) trade group that while it doesn't oppose Sohn's nomination, it has serious concerns about her involvement with now-defunct streaming service Locast. Sources say NAB wants Sohn to recuse herself from matters before the agency involving broadcasters. It's one thing for conservative critics to come out swinging against Sohn; it's another for the broadcast networks that will be governed by the FCC's regulations to do the same. On December 1, Sohn faces the Senate Commerce Committee for her confirmation hearing, where committee members also will vote on Jessica Rosenworcel's nomination to be the permanent chairwoman.


Conservative media at odds over Biden's FCC pick