FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is calling on broadcasters to air “patriotic, pro-America programming” connected with the 250th anniversary of the nation.
He hopes broadcasters will “pledge to provide programming that promotes civic education, national pride and our shared history.” His ideas include airing the pledge of allegiance and playing music by John Philip Sousa.
In the current political climate, Carr’s announcement and accompanying comments are likely to draw yet more attention to the chairman’s interactions with broadcasters.
Commissioner Anna Gomez, the only Democrat on the FCC, reacted immediately on X: “Nothing is more American than defending our constitutional rights against those who would erode our civil liberties. If broadcasters choose to participate in this FCC campaign, they can do so by defending their First Amendment rights and refusing government interference.”
One Radio World reader, an engineer, emailed us: “If [Carr] wants to be a program director, maybe he should be applying at a radio station.”
Sample programming
Carr wrote that “civics education is in rapid decline” and lamented that “classic programming such as ‘Schoolhouse Rock!’ is now only found in online archives.”
He said that broadcasters “are uniquely positioned to help address these concerning developments by providing programming that celebrates the remarkable story of American Independence while also tailoring it to the specific needs of their local communities, in furtherance of their public interest obligations.”
The chairman published a list of possible content that includes news content, PSAs and starting each broadcast day with the “Star Spangled Banner.”
His list of examples, in his words:
- Running PSAs, short segments or full specials specifically promoting civic education, inspiring local stories, and American history.
- Including segments during regular news programming that highlight local sites that are significant to American and regional history, such as National Park Service sites.
- Starting each broadcast day with the “Star Spangled Banner” or Pledge of Allegiance.
- Airing music by America’s greatest composers, such as John Philip Sousa, Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington or George Gershwin.
- Providing daily “Today in American History” announcements highlighting significant events that took place on that day in history.
- Partnering with community organizations and other groups that are already working hard to bring America’s stories of unity, perseverance and triumph to light.
It is unusual for a chairman to call on broadcasters to provide any kind of specific programming. The announcement does not require this programming, though the chairman used the phrases “taking the pledge” and “fulfilling their public interest mandate” in the same sentence.
Carr called it an invitation. He wrote that the Pledge America Campaign “enables broadcasters to lend their voices in support of Task Force 250 and the celebration of America’s 250th birthday by airing patriotic, pro-America content that celebrates the American journey and inspires its citizens by highlighting the historic accomplishments of this great nation from our founding through the Trump Administration today.”
Radio World asked for comment from the National Association of Broadcasters. Spokeswoman Grace Whaley replied by email:
“NAB, alongside our thousands of local radio and television stations, looks forward to continuing our work to celebrate America 250 by telling the stories, highlighting the service and celebrating the traditions that define our nation in communities across the country. We appreciate the FCC’s recognition of the unique role free and local broadcasters play in bringing Americans together. At NAB’s upcoming State Leadership Conference, we will roll out new spots and tools for stations that choose to participate, building on the work already underway to inform, engage and serve audiences across the country in celebrating this momentous milestone for our country.”
