“Why is it that ABC and NBC FAKE NEWS, two of the absolute worst and most biased networks anywhere in the World, arent paying Millions of Dollars a year in LICENSE FEES. They should lose their Licenses for their unfair coverage of Republicans and/or Conservatives, but at a minimum, they should pay up BIG for having the privilege of using the most valuable airwaves anywhere at anytime!!! Crooked journalism should not be rewarded, it should be terminated!!!” @realDonaldTrump

Fact-Check Summary

The claim that ABC and NBC pay nothing in license fees is false. Individual local broadcast stations owned by ABC and NBC pay annual FCC regulatory fees, application fees, and other charges. The FCC licenses individual stations, not networks. The assertion that licenses can be revoked for biased coverage is misleading; the FCC cannot revoke broadcast licenses based on perceived unfair news coverage due to strong First Amendment protections. Labeling these networks as “fake news” is an opinion, not a fact.

Belief Alignment Analysis

The post undermines democratic norms by calling for governmental retaliation against media organizations over editorial content, which endangers press freedom and the tenets of a free and open democracy. The language, which includes terms like “crooked journalism,” is divisive and dismisses the role of independent journalism in public accountability. Such rhetoric detracts from constructive and inclusive civic discourse.

Opinion

Political disagreements with media coverage do not justify calls for license revocation or punitive regulation. Upholding freedom of the press, even when coverage is critical or contentious, is essential to the functioning of democracy. Disagreements should be expressed through civil engagement, not threats to the legal status or existence of media organizations.

TLDR

ABC and NBC, through their local stations, pay significant FCC fees and are regulated under law. Networks cannot lose licenses for critical coverage due to constitutional protections. The post misrepresents regulatory realities and relies on hostile, non-democratic rhetoric.

Claim: ABC and NBC are not paying millions of dollars in license fees and should lose their licenses for unfair coverage.

Fact: Local stations owned by ABC and NBC pay substantial FCC licensing and regulatory fees. The FCC cannot revoke a license due to editorial opinions or perceived bias; this is constitutionally protected.

Opinion: The post expresses personal frustration with perceived bias, but its call to penalize broadcasters is inconsistent with democratic values and press freedoms.

TruthScore: 2

True: Networks are licensed to use the public airwaves through their stations and face regulatory and financial obligations.

Hyperbole: Terms like “fake news,” “crooked journalism,” and threats of termination are exaggerated and polarizing.

Lies: The claim that ABC and NBC pay nothing to use the airwaves, and that the FCC can revoke licenses over editorial content, is false.