> This feels a little excessively cynical, you still might hate it, but it's specifically for the 250th Anniversary of America.
> I don't know that "pledge" should be the right word, just maybe like encourage?
The article addressed this.
Although it’s described as voluntary, Carr said broadcasters can meet their public interest obligations by taking the pledge. This is notable because Carr has repeatedly threatened to punish broadcast stations for violating the public interest standard.
“If this were genuinely intended as voluntary, and genuinely about celebrating America, there is no reason to limit this to broadcasters,” Feld told Ars. “Cable operators are equally free to celebrate America, as are podcasters for that matter.”
The FCC has no jurisdiction over podcasters and no regulatory oversight on cable content.
Over the air content is something they have power over.
Oddly enough, this is the FCC staying on their lane… kind of
A request without power is a request. A request with power and context of threats may be a threat.