‘We need people in Congress with spines': Ex-FTC Commissioner urges pushback against Trump

Media Industry & Market Dynamics - Sinclair and NextStar ended their boycotts of Jimmy Kimmel Live, representing about 20% of all ABC stations [1] - The boycott was influenced by "thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders" [3] - The situation is viewed as a power grab, with potential authoritarian influence exerted through governmental pressure [4] - Boycotts can be effective, but relying solely on consumer action is unsustainable [5][6] Regulatory & Political Implications - Government agencies, like the FCC, may be used to exert pressure on media outlets [12] - The situation is compared to historical instances of government suppression of free speech, such as the Sedition Act of 1798 and McCarthyism [11][16] - The events are seen as a "test case" for potential future actions, where pressure can be applied without explicit legal violations [18] - Media consolidation gives government entities leverage over companies [19] Consumer & Corporate Responsibility - The public's ability to "unsubscribe" from services like Disney Plus demonstrates a form of consumer power [5][20] - There's a need for elected officials to actively counter corporate power and protect free speech [7][22] - Billionaires and large corporations are unlikely to prioritize free speech over their bottom line [9]