Part 4/11:
In this case, several local stations took the unprecedented step of pulling Jimmy Kimmel's show off the air. Experts and station owners alike emphasized that broadcasters are held to a higher standard by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Unlike streaming platforms, which are largely unregulated, traditional broadcasters have a duty to uphold accuracy and avoid spreading misinformation.
Armstrong Williams, a respected station owner in Baltimore, publicly stated that Kimmel's comments were "not just wrong—they were outright lies." He underscored the hefty responsibility broadcasters carry: "we are held to a different standard by the FCC; we cannot allow lies and misinformation to populate in our markets."