Reporters Without Borders, an organization dedicated to advocating for journalists globally, has formally urged the incoming United States Congress to initiate impeachment proceedings against Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr. The group contends that Carr has significantly undermined press freedom by leveraging the FCC’s regulatory authority to target news organizations that are critical of President Trump and his administration.
In a public statement, Clayton Weimers, the executive director of RSF North America, described Carr as a central figure in the White House’s efforts to weaken First Amendment protections. Weimers stated that few individuals have been more instrumental to this campaign than the current FCC chair. This call for impeachment marks a first for the organization, which has previously advocated for press freedom but not explicitly demanded the removal of a U.S. official. RSF argued that this step is necessary due to Carr’s persistent abuse of power.
The organization highlighted several high-profile conflicts between the FCC and major broadcasters as evidence of its claims. A primary example cited was the dispute with ABC, which RSF described as a case where regulatory threats were used to influence news coverage. The tension escalated in September 2025 when Carr warned ABC of potential consequences regarding remarks made by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. At the time, Carr told the network that the situation could be resolved through either an easy or a hard path.
The conflict between the FCC and ABC intensified in April 2026. Following renewed calls from President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for Kimmel to be fired, Carr ordered an early review of ABC’s broadcast licenses. In response, ABC and its parent company, Disney, filed a lawsuit against the FCC. The legal action alleged that the administration had engaged in a retaliatory campaign specifically designed to pressure the network.
RSF also criticized Carr’s management of major media mergers, arguing that the FCC has influenced these transactions in ways that benefit the president and his allies. The group pointed to the approval of the merger between Paramount and Skydance Media in July 2025 as a key instance. This regulatory approval occurred just weeks after Paramount agreed to pay a $16 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit filed by Trump over the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Harris.
Beyond the specific request for Carr’s impeachment, RSF advised the new Congress to prioritize restoring the independence of the FCC. The organization argued that the agency has increasingly acted in alignment with the political interests of the White House rather than functioning as an independent regulator. RSF believes that reasserting the FCC’s autonomy is essential to protecting the media landscape from political interference.
The statement from Reporters Without Borders serves as a formal recommendation to lawmakers as they prepare to take office. By citing specific instances of regulatory action and legal disputes, the group aims to provide a concrete basis for the proposed legislative action against the FCC chair.
