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FCC's Carr Alleges NBC Violated Equal Time Rule; Trump Not Offered Equal Air After Harris's SNL Appearance

Nov 3, 2024, 02:18 PM

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has alleged that Vice President Kamala Harris's recent appearance on NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL) violates the Federal Communications Commission's 'equal time' rule. This rule mandates that broadcasters provide equal airtime to all political candidates to prevent unfair influence on voters. Harris participated in a sketch on SNL just days before the upcoming election, with her appearance kept secret until hours before airtime. Carr described the move as a 'clear and blatant effort to evade' FCC regulations. Critics point out that the producer of SNL had previously stated neither Harris nor former President Donald Trump would appear on the show due to election laws. The Trump campaign confirmed that no offer for equal time was made. As a result, there are calls for the FCC to investigate the matter, with some suggesting that NBC's license should be revoked if violations are confirmed.