Verified Evidence: resolved · Fact Lock: locked · QA: pass
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned broadcasters about airing what he called “fake polls” or “suppression polls,” amid Donald Trump’s criticism of polling results unfavorable to him.

Carr said broadcasters airing such polls could run afoul of FCC or agency regulatory obligations and face consequences related to news content. The supplied reports do not identify a specific broadcaster, program, poll or enforcement action.

Forbes Business reported that Carr’s statement came one day after a pollster admitted fabricating results for some races. The publication did not identify the pollster in the supplied material.

Ars Technica reported that former FCC chairs characterized the warning as an effort to scare or pressure broadcasters into self-censorship. That characterization is attributed to those former officials and does not establish Carr’s motive.

SOURCES

  1. DeadlineFCC Chairman Warns Broadcasters That Airing “Fake Polls” Could Run Afoul Of “Regulatory Obligations”
  2. Forbes BusinessFCC’s Brendan Carr Warns Broadcast Networks Run Afoul Of Agency For Airing ‘Fake Polls’
  3. Ars TechnicaFCC chair warns media not to run the "fake polls" Trump keeps complaining about