GLAAD Criticizes FCC’s Brendan Carr Over TV Ratings Inquiry Impact on LGBTQ Americans: It’s About More Than Just TV
In response to Brendan Carr’s proposed media crackdown, GLAAD has criticized the chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the potential harm his inquiry could inflict on LGBTQ Americans.
On Wednesday, Carr initiated an inquiry into the TV ratings system, suggesting that “parents have raised concerns” about the representation of transgender individuals on screen. GLAAD termed Carr’s actions as “government overreach” that threatens discourse.
“Parents should absolutely have a say in what their kids watch, and parents already know that seeing an LGBTQ person on screen or in real life does no harm,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD’s President and CEO. “What does cause harm is government overreach. Under Brendan Carr, the Federal Communications Commission is once again attempting to dictate what can be seen on television.”
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Ellis emphasized that approximately 23% of Americans under 30 identify as LGBTQ and over 5 million children have LGBTQ parents. “Media companies must be allowed to create and broadcast stories that reflect one-quarter of their audience without interference from a government agency with its own anti-transgender political agenda,” she stated.
She added, “But this is about more than television. It’s about whether a government agency gets to reshape culture, limit storytelling, and undermine free expression. Americans should make their voices heard by submitting a comment that rejects this latest attempt by Brendan Carr’s FCC to manipulate the media, erode freedom of speech, and harm LGBTQ Americans.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Carr’s FCC had announced a new inquiry into the TV ratings system, questioning whether issues of gender identity are adequately flagged for parents in children’s programming. This scrutiny marks the latest in a series of investigations into program content under Carr’s leadership.
“Recently, parents have raised concerns that controversial gender identity issues are being included or promoted in children’s programs without providing any disclosure or transparency to parents,” the FCC stated in a public notice. “Specifically, the industry guidelines that parents rely on are rating shows with transgender and gender non-binary programming as appropriate for children and young children, and doing so without providing this information to parents, thereby undermining the ability of parents to make informed choices for their families. Consistent with Congress’s vision for the ratings system, we seek comment on whether the industry’s approach is continuing to provide the information that is relevant to parents today.”
In light of former President Donald Trump’s comments on media coverage of various issues, including the war in Iran, Carr has warned broadcasters of their public interest obligations, despite First Amendment advocates arguing that the FCC’s authority is limited.
