The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been transformed into a "rights-trampling harassment machine" under Chairman Brendan Carr, according to critics. In less than 100 days, Carr has allegedly abused his authority to bully companies and organizations that fail to support President Donald Trump's interests, sparking concerns over media censorship and abuse of power.

Media and telecom policy experts have been taken aback by Carr's actions, which they claim are designed to harass journalists, cajole insufficiently deferential media companies, and bully telecom giants into taking an obedient stance towards the administration. Gigi Sohn, a respected consumer advocate and former FCC staffer, has expressed shock at the lengths Carr will go to use the FCC as a vessel to address the president's personal grievances.

Carr has launched a series of investigations into companies such as Paramount/CBS, Comcast, and Disney, claiming they have violated FCC rules and regulations. However, experts argue that these investigations are baseless and designed to intimidate regulators into bending to the administration's will. The goal, according to critics, is to normalize discrimination and bigotry while reframing it as government efficiency.

The FCC Chairman has also been accused of meddling in areas outside his jurisdiction, such as private contractual relationships between broadcast networks and affiliates. Andrew Jay Schwartzman, an expert on media law, has expressed his trepidation over Carr's actions, stating that he has far exceeded his worst expectations.

Carr's actions have been criticized by a bipartisan collection of five former FCC officials, who have accused him of turning the FCC into the "White House's personal censor." Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez has also spoken out against Carr's actions, stating that he is "weaponizing" the FCC's licensing authority to "censor and control" journalism.

The implications of Carr's actions are far-reaching, with experts warning that they could lead to a erosion of media freedom and a lack of accountability for corporate wrongdoing. Victor Pickard, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication, has stated that Carr is carrying out Trump's bidding to exact revenge and quell dissent in the media sector.

In the face of these criticisms, experts are calling for a shift in focus to the state and local level, where advocates for consumer protection and competition can push for stronger regulations and oversight. Gigi Sohn has suggested that states should reinstate or strengthen their authority over broadband, while Victor Pickard has called for public investments in local media institutions to promote healthier democracies.

The controversy surrounding Carr's actions has sparked a wider debate about the role of the FCC in protecting the public interest and promoting media freedom. As the fight for the future of the media landscape continues, one thing is clear: the actions of Chairman Brendan Carr will have far-reaching consequences for the American public.