FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr recently called out NBC for allegedly violating the FCC’s Equal Time rule by airing a skit featuring Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris during the final episode of Saturday Night Live’s latest season. The Equal Time rule mandates that presidential candidates receive the opportunity to request equal airtime within seven days if another candidate is given airtime. However, with NBC airing this skit on the season’s final episode, it made such requests practically impossible.

Carr expressed his frustration on social media, stating, “This is a clear and blatant effort to evade the FCC’s Equal Time rule. The purpose of the rule is to avoid exactly this type of biased and partisan conduct - a licensed broadcaster using the public airwaves to exert its influence for one candidate on the eve of an election.” According to Carr, NBC’s actions raise questions about the network’s impartiality and its potential influence on the election.

For some, the incident with SNL highlights a larger concern over how media companies can wield their platforms to sway public opinion during crucial election periods. Carr’s remarks underscore the importance of media neutrality, especially as public broadcasters have a responsibility to maintain fairness in their coverage of political candidates.