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FCC Launches Voluntary ‘Pledge America’ Campaign Urging Patriotic Programming for U.S. 250th Anniversary

Framed as a civic-education effort, the initiative aligns with the White House’s Task Force 250.

Overview

  • FCC Chair Brendan Carr called on broadcasters to air patriotic, pro-America content for the semiquincentennial in a campaign coordinated with Task Force 250.
  • Suggested options include nonpartisan PSAs, civics segments or specials, starting each broadcast day with the national anthem or the Pledge, and featuring notable American composers.
  • Participation is optional, though Carr said such programming would help satisfy broadcasters’ public-interest obligations to local communities.
  • The announcement follows a tougher FCC posture toward networks, including a move to end the ‘bona fide’ news exemption for daytime and late-night talk shows under equal-time rules.
  • Carr confirmed an investigation into ABC’s The View for potential equal-time violations, and NBC, Fox, CBS and ABC did not immediately comment on the campaign.