FCC Chair Warns Broadcasters Over ‘Fake Polls’

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned broadcasters that airing or amplifying “fake” or “suppression” election polls could violate their federal license obligations, but he did not identify specific polls or announce a formal new rule. His comments followed Wedgewood Polls’ admission that it fabricated polling data; The New York Times said it had included 15 of the firm’s surveys in its database and removed them. Carr urged broadcasters to provide context and avoid news distortion or broadcast hoaxes, but critics questioned whether those provisions apply to polling coverage and raised concerns that the warning could pressure outlets to avoid coverage unfavorable to President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized such polls.