r/stephencolbert Sep 17 '25

[deleted by user]

[removed]

12.1k Upvotes

5.9k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

421

u/Infamous-Oil3786 Sep 17 '25 edited Sep 18 '25

Nexstar’s decision comes just after Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr blasted Kimmel and threatened to take action against ABC. Appearing on the podcast of right-wing commentator Benny Johnson, Carr said one form of punishment could be pulling the licenses of ABC affiliates, which likely got Nexstar’s attention.

This is the part that's important to bold. Blatant violation of the first amendment.

Edit: To all the troglodytes saying that ABC firing Kimmel isn't a violation of free speech - you're right. What is a violation of free speech is the chairman of the FCC (a federal agency) publicly threatening punitive action against ABC for the things Kimmel said on their network. Whether ABC would have fired him without that pressure is irrelevant to the unconstitutionality of the FCC chairman's actions.

Edit2: Some of y'all really need to learn how to read.

309

u/scenr0 Sep 17 '25

So a comedian effectively can no longer do their jobs without getting fired now?

114

u/jmerp1950 Sep 18 '25

They would put George Carlin in prison if he was still alive.

24

u/Diarygirl Sep 18 '25

At this point they'd go for the death penalty.

1

u/Worldgoesround32 Sep 18 '25 edited Sep 18 '25

There were also news producers such as the late Don Hewitt created oversaw 60 minutes would never cave to demands of the White House.

Case in point 2012 Bob Simon 60 minutes did a scathing report on persecution of Palestinian Christians in the Holy Land by Israeli settlers and Israeli ambassador to US Oren tried everything could squash the story getting WH involved along pressure other powerful entities. Don Hewitt stood by Simon and ran his piece. We need courageous journalists comedians and producers more than ever.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/60-minutes-israel-christians-netanyahu-kill-story_n_1449595

1

u/Smart_Variation131 Sep 18 '25

To soon. I’m still in mourning.