Stephen Colbert Criticizes CBS and FCC Over Equal-Time Rule Restrictions

On a recent episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert shared that CBS had prevented him from interviewing Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. The reason given was a threat from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enforce the equal-time rule on late-night and daytime talk shows.

Colbert stated, "Talarico was supposed to be here, but our network’s lawyers called us directly to say we could not have him on the broadcast.” He added, "Then I was told not only could I not have him on, I could not mention me not having him on. Let’s talk about this because my network clearly doesn’t want us to talk about it."

Colbert provided background details, explaining that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr had issued a warning to talk shows that they might not qualify for the bona fide news exemption to the equal-time rule. An investigation was subsequently opened into ABC’s The View following an interview with Talarico.

The formal version of the rule, the Equal Opportunities Rule, generally mandates that stations must offer equal time to opposing political candidates upon request if time is provided to one candidate. Traditionally, entertainment talk shows have been treated as bona fide news programs and exempt from this rule.

Colbert jested that the equal-time rule is "the FCC’s most time-honored rule, right after ‘no nipples at the Super Bowl.’" He accused Carr of partisanship, asserting that Carr’s recent letter suggested removing the exemption was politically motivated.

Describing the situation bluntly, Colbert said, "Let’s just call this what it is: Donald Trump’s administration wants to silence anyone who says anything bad about Trump on TV because all Trump does is watch TV. He’s like a toddler with too much screen time." Despite restrictions, Colbert humorously managed to show a photo of Talarico on-air.