FCC Should Enforce Equal Time Rule Against Liberal Late-Night TV Hosts
Source: M.D. Kittle. "Colbert's Democrat Extravaganza Collides With 'Equal Time'." February 18, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
The author argues that Stephen Colbert and other late-night TV hosts have been giving Democrats unfair advantages by having them as guests way more often than Republicans. Since these shows use public airwaves, the FCC should make them follow the equal time rule that says if you give one candidate airtime, you have to give it to their opponents too.
Conclusion
The FCC should strictly enforce the equal time rule against late-night TV hosts like Stephen Colbert who give Democrats unfair campaign advantages on broadcast television
Premises
- Colbert and other late-night hosts have systematically favored Democratic candidates and politicians, with 99% of their political guests being liberals
- The equal time rule has existed for nearly 70 years and requires broadcast networks to give equal opportunities to all political candidates
- Late-night shows are using public airwaves (a valuable public resource) to provide what amounts to free campaign advertising to Democrats
- Democrats have previously supported FCC enforcement of equal time rules when it benefited them (Schwarzenegger case, Sinclair investigation)
- These shows represent in-kind campaign contributions and conflicts of interest that should be regulated
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is correctly applying existing law, not engaging in political censorship
Assumptions
- Late-night comedy shows significantly influence political outcomes
- Equal enforcement of broadcast regulations is more important than editorial freedom for entertainment shows
- The equal time rule should apply to talk show interviews with political candidates
- Democrats would abuse broadcast privileges if not regulated
- Public airwaves create special obligations for political neutrality