Commissioner Anna Gomez’s tense visit to WHYY spotlighted both the promise of public media and the peril of politically charged FCC oversight.
At a Glance
- FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez visits WHYY in Philadelphia
- Gomez criticizes FCC’s probe of CBS as politically motivated
- Public broadcasters hailed as defenders of community engagement
- FCC actions feared to create “news deserts” in local regions
Local Media in the Spotlight
Federal Communications Commissioner Anna Gomez toured WHYY, a prominent NPR and PBS affiliate in Philadelphia, to underscore the growing importance of local public broadcasting. WHYY serves communities across Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey—providing critical news, educational programming, and civic engagement tools.
During her visit, Gomez praised WHYY’s commitment to localism, calling it a trusted institution that delivers “unfiltered information” to the public. The station, she said, stands as a model for what public media can offer in an era of increasing misinformation and fragmented news ecosystems.
Watch WHYY’s report on the visit at Anna Gomez Visits WHYY.
Gomez’s office issued a statement highlighting WHYY’s value, saying the station “exemplifies localism through its programming, which connects the public with trusted local news, educational content and opportunities for civic engagement,” as reported by Radio World.
FCC Scrutiny Sparks Alarm
But Gomez’s visit wasn’t just a photo op. It also served as a platform for the commissioner to blast recent FCC actions that she claims could jeopardize press freedom. She specifically cited the agency’s investigation into CBS’s 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, calling it a “fishing expedition” designed to intimidate journalists. The probe, she warned, risks setting a “dangerous precedent,” according to TV Technology.
The investigation was spearheaded by FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, prompting Gomez to draw parallels to previous politically motivated attacks on the press. She argued the agency should steer clear of becoming a tool for censorship or partisan retaliation—something she likened to “absolute weaponization,” a term she used in an interview cited by Variety.
Defending the Public Airwaves
Gomez’s comments reflect a broader concern that independent journalism and regulatory neutrality are under siege. She warned that unfounded political attacks on public broadcasters could accelerate the rise of “news deserts”—regions without access to reliable local news.
“Baseless attacks on public media threaten to create a new kind of news desert, one where communities can’t access the local critical information they need,” she stated, insisting that the FCC must prioritize expanding access to timely, accurate reporting free from political pressure. These remarks were also echoed in a statement published by Radio World.
Gomez concluded her visit with a call for the FCC to return to its core mission: ensuring an open, equitable media landscape where journalism can thrive without fear or interference. She framed this mission as essential not only for public media, but for the integrity of American democracy itself.
