Tim Karr
@timkarr.bsky.social
A crash-scene investigation at the crossroads of new media & public policy. Against media concentration; for robust local journalism & digital democracy. Still attempting to master the cold take.
www.freepress.net - This Free Press is not for sale.
www.freepress.net - This Free Press is not for sale.
Pinned
Tim Karr
@timkarr.bsky.social
· Aug 4
Learn more about our plans to continually update the Media Capitulation Index and 'award' more chickens to the cowering conglomerates and stars to those with more courage.
www.freepress.net/who-owns-media
www.freepress.net/who-owns-media
Reposted by Tim Karr
“Chilling and unconstitutional” — @attorneynora.bsky.social @freepress.bsky.social
U.S. Bars 5 European Tech Regulators and Researchers
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 3:47 AM
“Chilling and unconstitutional” — @attorneynora.bsky.social @freepress.bsky.social
Reposted by Tim Karr
I am outraged but not surprised that “60 Minutes” pulled a segment critical of the Trump administration.
This is the chilling effect of an administration that has made it clear that it expects censorship in exchange for regulatory favors.
This is the chilling effect of an administration that has made it clear that it expects censorship in exchange for regulatory favors.
December 22, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I am outraged but not surprised that “60 Minutes” pulled a segment critical of the Trump administration.
This is the chilling effect of an administration that has made it clear that it expects censorship in exchange for regulatory favors.
This is the chilling effect of an administration that has made it clear that it expects censorship in exchange for regulatory favors.
Reposted by Tim Karr
The Associated Press has an excellent story about how FCC boss Brendan Carr bullied a Bay Area AM radio station for the crime of reporting on local ICE activity.
facing existential collapse it immediately demoted journalists end replaced political coverage with safe public interest cack:
facing existential collapse it immediately demoted journalists end replaced political coverage with safe public interest cack:
How an AM radio station in California weathered the Trump administration's assault on media
Six days into President Donald Trump's new administration, the San Francisco Bay-area radio station KCBS-AM and other outlets reported on local immigration raids.
apnews.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:08 PM
The Associated Press has an excellent story about how FCC boss Brendan Carr bullied a Bay Area AM radio station for the crime of reporting on local ICE activity.
facing existential collapse it immediately demoted journalists end replaced political coverage with safe public interest cack:
facing existential collapse it immediately demoted journalists end replaced political coverage with safe public interest cack:
The Weiss Effect:
Reporter Sharyn Alfonsi "sent an indignant internal memo to colleagues saying that pulling the segment 'is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.'The memo was immediately leaked..."
ca.news.yahoo.com/60-minutes-p...
Reporter Sharyn Alfonsi "sent an indignant internal memo to colleagues saying that pulling the segment 'is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.'The memo was immediately leaked..."
ca.news.yahoo.com/60-minutes-p...
‘60 Minutes’ Abruptly Pulls Segment on Trump Deportees Sent to El Salvador Megaprison
"60 Minutes" abruptly dropped a segment about Trump deportees sent to a megaprison in El Salvador Sunday — two hours before it was set to air.
ca.news.yahoo.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:31 PM
The Weiss Effect:
Reporter Sharyn Alfonsi "sent an indignant internal memo to colleagues saying that pulling the segment 'is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.'The memo was immediately leaked..."
ca.news.yahoo.com/60-minutes-p...
Reporter Sharyn Alfonsi "sent an indignant internal memo to colleagues saying that pulling the segment 'is not an editorial decision, it is a political one.'The memo was immediately leaked..."
ca.news.yahoo.com/60-minutes-p...
Has anyone asked Brendan Carr whether he told staff to scrub the word "independent" from the FCC websites so that it retroactively aligned with his shocking (and incorrect) claim that the agency served Donald Trump instead?
www.youtube.com/live/cHY0dP5...
www.youtube.com/live/cHY0dP5...
Chairman Cruz Announces FCC Oversight Hearing
YouTube video by CommerceRepublicans
www.youtube.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Has anyone asked Brendan Carr whether he told staff to scrub the word "independent" from the FCC websites so that it retroactively aligned with his shocking (and incorrect) claim that the agency served Donald Trump instead?
www.youtube.com/live/cHY0dP5...
www.youtube.com/live/cHY0dP5...
What Cruz said (words I never thought I'd write):
"Govt officials threatening adverse consequences for disfavored content is an unconstitutional coercion that chills protected speech... Democrat or Republican, we cannot have the govt arbitrating truth or opinion."
www.youtube.com/live/cHY0dP5...
"Govt officials threatening adverse consequences for disfavored content is an unconstitutional coercion that chills protected speech... Democrat or Republican, we cannot have the govt arbitrating truth or opinion."
www.youtube.com/live/cHY0dP5...
December 18, 2025 at 12:50 PM
What Cruz said (words I never thought I'd write):
"Govt officials threatening adverse consequences for disfavored content is an unconstitutional coercion that chills protected speech... Democrat or Republican, we cannot have the govt arbitrating truth or opinion."
www.youtube.com/live/cHY0dP5...
"Govt officials threatening adverse consequences for disfavored content is an unconstitutional coercion that chills protected speech... Democrat or Republican, we cannot have the govt arbitrating truth or opinion."
www.youtube.com/live/cHY0dP5...
Reposted by Tim Karr
tired: a federal moratorium blocking states from regulating AI
wired: local moratoriums blocking tech companies' AI-fueled resource grabs
me for @techpolicypress.bsky.social with a big thanks to the folks I talked to and everyone in these fights across the US
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-rac...
wired: local moratoriums blocking tech companies' AI-fueled resource grabs
me for @techpolicypress.bsky.social with a big thanks to the folks I talked to and everyone in these fights across the US
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-rac...
The Real Race for an AI Moratorium: Stopping Data Centers | TechPolicy.Press
Cities and counties across the US are pulling the emergency brake on data center development, writes Jenna Ruddock.
www.techpolicy.press
December 17, 2025 at 10:41 PM
tired: a federal moratorium blocking states from regulating AI
wired: local moratoriums blocking tech companies' AI-fueled resource grabs
me for @techpolicypress.bsky.social with a big thanks to the folks I talked to and everyone in these fights across the US
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-rac...
wired: local moratoriums blocking tech companies' AI-fueled resource grabs
me for @techpolicypress.bsky.social with a big thanks to the folks I talked to and everyone in these fights across the US
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-rac...
"Carr’s fast-talking lies about the FCC’s broadcast jurisdiction don’t obscure just how eager he’s been to violate the First Amendment and weaponize the agency to threaten the media," says @mattfieldwood.bsky.social.
#FCCOversight.
www.freepress.net/news/trumps-...
#FCCOversight.
www.freepress.net/news/trumps-...
Trump's Censorship Czar Faces Senate Grilling on Efforts to Silence and Control the Media; Backpedals on Earlier Acknowledgement of FCC Independence
During the hearing, Carr shouted down senators and contorted his supposed free-speech principles to protect Trump’s ego and attack Trump’s critics.
www.freepress.net
December 17, 2025 at 9:00 PM
"Carr’s fast-talking lies about the FCC’s broadcast jurisdiction don’t obscure just how eager he’s been to violate the First Amendment and weaponize the agency to threaten the media," says @mattfieldwood.bsky.social.
#FCCOversight.
www.freepress.net/news/trumps-...
#FCCOversight.
www.freepress.net/news/trumps-...
Carr routinely refuses to admit that his harassment and strong-arming of news outlets—effectively bullying them into silence—is designed to weaponize his authority in service of Trump.
Sen. Baldwin calls these actions "blatant attacks on the First Amendment."
#FCCOversight
Sen. Baldwin calls these actions "blatant attacks on the First Amendment."
#FCCOversight
Markey to Carr: "Journalists were covering an important news stories and some conservatives were upset by the coverage, so you used your power as FCC chair to hang a Sword of Damocles over a local radio station's head. That's precisely what you warned about in 2022!"
December 17, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Carr routinely refuses to admit that his harassment and strong-arming of news outlets—effectively bullying them into silence—is designed to weaponize his authority in service of Trump.
Sen. Baldwin calls these actions "blatant attacks on the First Amendment."
#FCCOversight
Sen. Baldwin calls these actions "blatant attacks on the First Amendment."
#FCCOversight
Surprise! Surprise!
The FCC retroactively changes its website to align with Chairman Carr's testimony today, claiming that the FCC is no longer an independent agency but instead answers to Chief Trump:
#FCCOversight
c/o Axios' @sarafischer.bsky.social
The FCC retroactively changes its website to align with Chairman Carr's testimony today, claiming that the FCC is no longer an independent agency but instead answers to Chief Trump:
#FCCOversight
c/o Axios' @sarafischer.bsky.social
December 17, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Surprise! Surprise!
The FCC retroactively changes its website to align with Chairman Carr's testimony today, claiming that the FCC is no longer an independent agency but instead answers to Chief Trump:
#FCCOversight
c/o Axios' @sarafischer.bsky.social
The FCC retroactively changes its website to align with Chairman Carr's testimony today, claiming that the FCC is no longer an independent agency but instead answers to Chief Trump:
#FCCOversight
c/o Axios' @sarafischer.bsky.social
Sen. @kim.senate.gov with perhaps the most succinct and on-message comment of the entire FCC oversight hearing:
"Trump is not your boss. The American people are your boss."
And the American people overwhelmingly disapprove of Chairman Carr's attempts to silence views Trump disagrees with ...
"Trump is not your boss. The American people are your boss."
And the American people overwhelmingly disapprove of Chairman Carr's attempts to silence views Trump disagrees with ...
December 17, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Sen. @kim.senate.gov with perhaps the most succinct and on-message comment of the entire FCC oversight hearing:
"Trump is not your boss. The American people are your boss."
And the American people overwhelmingly disapprove of Chairman Carr's attempts to silence views Trump disagrees with ...
"Trump is not your boss. The American people are your boss."
And the American people overwhelmingly disapprove of Chairman Carr's attempts to silence views Trump disagrees with ...
Carr routinely refuses to admit that his harassment and strong-arming of news outlets—effectively bullying them into silence—is designed to weaponize his authority in service of Trump.
These actions Sen. Baldwin calls "blatant attacks on the First Amendment."
#HouseOversight
These actions Sen. Baldwin calls "blatant attacks on the First Amendment."
#HouseOversight
Markey to Carr: "Journalists were covering an important news stories and some conservatives were upset by the coverage, so you used your power as FCC chair to hang a Sword of Damocles over a local radio station's head. That's precisely what you warned about in 2022!"
December 17, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Carr routinely refuses to admit that his harassment and strong-arming of news outlets—effectively bullying them into silence—is designed to weaponize his authority in service of Trump.
These actions Sen. Baldwin calls "blatant attacks on the First Amendment."
#HouseOversight
These actions Sen. Baldwin calls "blatant attacks on the First Amendment."
#HouseOversight
Reposted by Tim Karr
And let’s say it once more: Carr’s fellow GOP chairman Pai denied that Sinclair/Tribune merger over Sinclair’s lack of candor on its ownership structures. NOT because Markey signed a letter, which Pai rejected explicitly too. #FCCOversight #SenateCommerce #1stAmendment
December 17, 2025 at 4:33 PM
And let’s say it once more: Carr’s fellow GOP chairman Pai denied that Sinclair/Tribune merger over Sinclair’s lack of candor on its ownership structures. NOT because Markey signed a letter, which Pai rejected explicitly too. #FCCOversight #SenateCommerce #1stAmendment
Reposted by Tim Karr
Imagine that Carr is right, and that Markey and Dems were wrong to send that letter.
How then can Carr cite it as JUSTIFICATION for his own threats to broadcasters, and all of Carr’s lies about what the FCC’s news distortion says. #FCCOversight #SenateCommerce #1stAmendment
How then can Carr cite it as JUSTIFICATION for his own threats to broadcasters, and all of Carr’s lies about what the FCC’s news distortion says. #FCCOversight #SenateCommerce #1stAmendment
December 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Imagine that Carr is right, and that Markey and Dems were wrong to send that letter.
How then can Carr cite it as JUSTIFICATION for his own threats to broadcasters, and all of Carr’s lies about what the FCC’s news distortion says. #FCCOversight #SenateCommerce #1stAmendment
How then can Carr cite it as JUSTIFICATION for his own threats to broadcasters, and all of Carr’s lies about what the FCC’s news distortion says. #FCCOversight #SenateCommerce #1stAmendment
Sen. @markey.senate.gov to Trump's censorship czar:
"Chairman Carr, you are not reinvigorating the public-interest standard. You are weaponizing the public-interest standard. That is what the Carr FCC is doing every single day."
#HouseOversight
"Chairman Carr, you are not reinvigorating the public-interest standard. You are weaponizing the public-interest standard. That is what the Carr FCC is doing every single day."
#HouseOversight
December 17, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Sen. @markey.senate.gov to Trump's censorship czar:
"Chairman Carr, you are not reinvigorating the public-interest standard. You are weaponizing the public-interest standard. That is what the Carr FCC is doing every single day."
#HouseOversight
"Chairman Carr, you are not reinvigorating the public-interest standard. You are weaponizing the public-interest standard. That is what the Carr FCC is doing every single day."
#HouseOversight
Reposted by Tim Karr
FCC Chairmen Brendan Carr is being called out on his attacks against free speech at today’s #FCCOversight hearing in the #SenateCommerce Committee.
Here, Free Press offers a 🧵 that highlights his fellow Republicans who also agree that Carr's threats are dangerous to the independent agency:
1/x
Here, Free Press offers a 🧵 that highlights his fellow Republicans who also agree that Carr's threats are dangerous to the independent agency:
1/x
December 17, 2025 at 3:41 PM
FCC Chairmen Brendan Carr is being called out on his attacks against free speech at today’s #FCCOversight hearing in the #SenateCommerce Committee.
Here, Free Press offers a 🧵 that highlights his fellow Republicans who also agree that Carr's threats are dangerous to the independent agency:
1/x
Here, Free Press offers a 🧵 that highlights his fellow Republicans who also agree that Carr's threats are dangerous to the independent agency:
1/x
Reposted by Tim Karr
Cantwell’s questions about cybersecurity are important in reality, of course; but of course Carr would rather joust over Chinese hackers than talk about his complete abandonment of his supposed free speech principles to assuage Donald Trump. #FCCOversight #SenateCommerce #1stAmendment
December 17, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Cantwell’s questions about cybersecurity are important in reality, of course; but of course Carr would rather joust over Chinese hackers than talk about his complete abandonment of his supposed free speech principles to assuage Donald Trump. #FCCOversight #SenateCommerce #1stAmendment
Reposted by Tim Karr
The FCC chair is accused by his own party of "unconstitutional coercion" while running corrupt shakedowns of media companies, harassing and censoring broadcasters, etc.
And the Democrats lead with ... Salt Typhoon and spectrum?
And the Democrats lead with ... Salt Typhoon and spectrum?
a cartoon character talking on a cell phone in front of a sign that says south park
ALT: a cartoon character talking on a cell phone in front of a sign that says south park
media.tenor.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:48 PM
The FCC chair is accused by his own party of "unconstitutional coercion" while running corrupt shakedowns of media companies, harassing and censoring broadcasters, etc.
And the Democrats lead with ... Salt Typhoon and spectrum?
And the Democrats lead with ... Salt Typhoon and spectrum?
Reposted by Tim Karr
As @agomezfcc.bsky.social notes, the Carr FCC’s remarkable actions to pressure its critics and attack the media have undermined its credibility entirely. She thanks Senator Cruz for his bouncing concern over Carr’s threats to Kimmel et al. too. #FCCOversight #SenateCommerce #1stAmendment
December 17, 2025 at 3:33 PM
As @agomezfcc.bsky.social notes, the Carr FCC’s remarkable actions to pressure its critics and attack the media have undermined its credibility entirely. She thanks Senator Cruz for his bouncing concern over Carr’s threats to Kimmel et al. too. #FCCOversight #SenateCommerce #1stAmendment
Reposted by Tim Karr
Here’s my thread for today’s #FCCOversight hearing in the #SenateCommerce Committee, where Trump’s Censorship Czar Brendan Carr finally answers for trashing the #1stAmendment.
Before it starts: my @freepress.bsky.social piece explains how Carr will dodge and spin. pressingissues.org/another-carr...
Before it starts: my @freepress.bsky.social piece explains how Carr will dodge and spin. pressingissues.org/another-carr...
Another Carr Wreck
How the current FCC chairman is ignoring the truth about free speech
pressingissues.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Here’s my thread for today’s #FCCOversight hearing in the #SenateCommerce Committee, where Trump’s Censorship Czar Brendan Carr finally answers for trashing the #1stAmendment.
Before it starts: my @freepress.bsky.social piece explains how Carr will dodge and spin. pressingissues.org/another-carr...
Before it starts: my @freepress.bsky.social piece explains how Carr will dodge and spin. pressingissues.org/another-carr...
And there it is:
"In its letter, Warner said the Ellison family is using a revocable trust to fund the deal and that documents provided by Paramount about the commitment 'contain gaps, loopholes and limitations that put you, our shareholders, and our company at risk.'”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
"In its letter, Warner said the Ellison family is using a revocable trust to fund the deal and that documents provided by Paramount about the commitment 'contain gaps, loopholes and limitations that put you, our shareholders, and our company at risk.'”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
Warner Rejects Paramount’s Hostile Bid, Saying Netflix Deal Still Superior
Warner raised concerns about the credibility of Paramount’s “illusory” offer and its backing from the Ellison family.
www.wsj.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:48 PM
And there it is:
"In its letter, Warner said the Ellison family is using a revocable trust to fund the deal and that documents provided by Paramount about the commitment 'contain gaps, loopholes and limitations that put you, our shareholders, and our company at risk.'”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
"In its letter, Warner said the Ellison family is using a revocable trust to fund the deal and that documents provided by Paramount about the commitment 'contain gaps, loopholes and limitations that put you, our shareholders, and our company at risk.'”
www.wsj.com/business/med...
Yo La Tengo at the Bowery Ballroom
December 17, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Yo La Tengo at the Bowery Ballroom
Today, we saw a raft of business (and politics) news stories indicating that Paramount's hostile bid to take over Warner Bros. Discovery is in shambles ...
December 16, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Today, we saw a raft of business (and politics) news stories indicating that Paramount's hostile bid to take over Warner Bros. Discovery is in shambles ...
A 2000% hike in in Star Trek licensing fees?
This is what monopoly market power looks like.
And now Paramount/Skydance wants to add WBD to its portfolio:
www.reddit.com/r/ClassicTre...
[fixed]
This is what monopoly market power looks like.
And now Paramount/Skydance wants to add WBD to its portfolio:
www.reddit.com/r/ClassicTre...
[fixed]
From the ClassicTrek community on Reddit: Since the Paramount/Skydance merger, licensing fees for Star Trek have increased by 2,000% forcing multiple artists and small businesses to end their relation...
Explore this post and more from the ClassicTrek community
www.reddit.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:57 PM
A 2000% hike in in Star Trek licensing fees?
This is what monopoly market power looks like.
And now Paramount/Skydance wants to add WBD to its portfolio:
www.reddit.com/r/ClassicTre...
[fixed]
This is what monopoly market power looks like.
And now Paramount/Skydance wants to add WBD to its portfolio:
www.reddit.com/r/ClassicTre...
[fixed]