FCC Chairman Warns Broadcasters of License Loss Over Fake News
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 14 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- License Risk Warning: FCC Chairman Brendan Carr warned broadcasters during a congressional hearing that they risk losing their licenses if they do not operate in the public interest, emphasizing the importance of media trust, which could lead to a crisis for some broadcasters' survival.
- Fake News Allegations: Following Trump's dispute over reports of Iran striking U.S. tankers, Carr accused broadcasters of spreading false information and urged them to correct their course before license renewals, potentially impacting their market reputation and audience trust.
- Trust Rebuilding in Media: Carr highlighted that the media has earned the label of 'fake news' and stressed the necessity of rebuilding public trust, as failure to improve could result in audience loss and declining advertising revenues.
- Impact of International Tensions: The statements from Trump and Carr come amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which may affect public trust in media reporting and subsequently influence market sentiment towards related industries.
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Analyst Views on NWSA
Wall Street analysts forecast NWSA stock price to rise
3 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 23.970
Low
38.00
Averages
40.33
High
43.00
Current: 23.970
Low
38.00
Averages
40.33
High
43.00
About NWSA
News Corporation is a diversified media and information services company. Its Digital Real Estate Services segment consists of the Company’s interest in REA Group and Move. REA Group is a digital media business specializing in property and property-related services on its Websites and mobile apps. Move is a provider of digital real estate services in the United States and primarily operates Realtor.com, a real estate information, advertising and services platform, its referral-based services, online tools and services to do-it-yourself landlords and tenants. Its Dow Jones segment includes Dow Jones, a global provider of news and business information, which distributes its content and data through a variety of media channels. Its Book Publishing segment consists of HarperCollins, a consumer book publisher with operations in 15 countries. Its News Media segment consists of News Corp Australia, News UK and the New York Post and includes The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, among others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Bray's Contributions: Tom Bray's 18-year tenure on the committee has been pivotal in maintaining The Wall Street Journal's reputation for fair reporting, and his retirement marks a significant transition in the committee's history.
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- Government Media Intervention: Carr's warning on social media that broadcasters risk losing their licenses if they do not 'operate in the public interest' has been criticized as an infringement on press freedom, potentially leading to self-censorship among media outlets when covering sensitive topics.
- Political Backlash: Prominent Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren and Chris Murphy, publicly condemned Carr's remarks as authoritarian, emphasizing that the government should not interfere with media reporting, highlighting the tense relationship between politics and the media landscape.
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Announcement of Dividend: News Corp has announced a dividend for its shareholders, indicating a commitment to returning value to investors.
Exchange Rate Impact: The announcement includes details on how the current exchange rate may affect the dividend payout for international shareholders.
See More
New Appointment in Dow Jones Special Committee
- New Chair Election: The Dow Jones Special Committee has elected Melanie Kirkpatrick to succeed Tom Bray, with her term ending on December 31, 2029, reflecting a commitment to stable leadership within the committee.
- Leadership Transition: Lawrence Ingrassia was elected as chair last December, bringing extensive editorial experience to the committee, aimed at preserving The Wall Street Journal's editorial independence.
- Bray's Contributions: Tom Bray's 18-year tenure on the committee has been pivotal in maintaining The Wall Street Journal's reputation for fair reporting, and his retirement marks a significant transition in the committee's history.
- Kirkpatrick's Background: Melanie Kirkpatrick held various senior editorial roles at The Wall Street Journal and received the 2001 Mary Morgan Hewett Award, showcasing her profound influence and expertise in journalism.
See More
Dow Jones Aims for $1 Billion EBITDA in Five Years
- Strategic Transformation Goal: During the Investor Briefing, Dow Jones outlined its plan to achieve $1 billion in annual EBITDA within five years, representing a 70% increase over fiscal 2025 levels, highlighting the company's strong growth potential amid its digital transformation.
- Revenue Structure Optimization: By fiscal 2025, 82% of Dow Jones's revenue will be digital and 80% recurring, up from 60% and 69% in fiscal 2018, indicating a successful pivot to a predominantly digital high-growth enterprise.
- Margin Improvement: Dow Jones has achieved a 17% compound annual growth rate in EBITDA, with margins nearly doubling to 25.2%, which not only enhances profitability but also provides a solid foundation for future investments and expansions.
- New Product Growth Drivers: The company plans to accelerate its Risk and Energy businesses, introduce new direct-to-consumer products and pricing strategies, and focus on high-margin enterprise news, thereby further driving revenue growth and increasing market share.
See More
Northern Right Capital Fully Sells Norwegian Cruise Line Shares
- Share Sale Details: Northern Right Capital Management reported on February 17, 2026, that it sold its entire holding of 790,760 shares in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, with an estimated transaction value of $19.48 million, indicating a complete divestment from the company.
- Impact on AUM: This sale resulted in a $19.48 million decrease in the fund's quarter-end position value, reducing its reported assets under management (AUM) from 6.0% to 5.1%, reflecting a diminished confidence in Norwegian Cruise Line's prospects.
- Industry Context: Despite the cruise industry performing well with full ships, Northern Right's sale suggests a cautious outlook on Norwegian Cruise Line's future growth potential, particularly when compared to larger competitors like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
- Competitive Landscape: Norwegian Cruise Line, which accumulated $14.6 billion in debt during the pandemic, continues to turn a profit despite high debt service costs, yet struggles to effectively compete against upscale rivals like Viking Cruises, which have redefined the industry with a focus on premium experiences.
See More
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- Stake Change: Northern Right Capital Management disclosed in an SEC filing on February 17, 2026, that it sold its entire holding of 790,760 shares in Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, with an estimated transaction value of $19.48 million, indicating a complete exit from the investment.
- Asset Allocation Shift: This sale reduced Norwegian Cruise Line's stake from 6.0% to 0%, while Northern Right's other major holdings include NASDAQ:NWSA ($31.24 million, 8.2% of AUM) and NASDAQ:SATS ($28.07 million, 7.4% of AUM), reflecting a significant shift in its investment strategy.
- Market Performance Analysis: As of February 17, 2026, Norwegian Cruise Line's stock price stood at $24.10, down 8.64% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 17.80 percentage points, highlighting challenges faced by the company in a competitive cruise market.
- Industry Outlook Consideration: Despite the cruise industry performing well with full ships, Northern Right's exit may indicate a cautious stance on Norwegian's future growth potential, particularly given its substantial $14.6 billion debt load, even as the company remains profitable.
See More
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- Free Speech Controversy: FCC Chairman Brendan Carr faces intense backlash from Democratic lawmakers and free speech advocates for threatening to revoke broadcasters' licenses, which many view as a direct assault on free speech that could lead to media self-censorship and hinder the public's access to truthful information.
- Government Media Intervention: Carr's warning on social media that broadcasters risk losing their licenses if they do not 'operate in the public interest' has been criticized as an infringement on press freedom, potentially leading to self-censorship among media outlets when covering sensitive topics.
- Political Backlash: Prominent Democratic senators, including Elizabeth Warren and Chris Murphy, publicly condemned Carr's remarks as authoritarian, emphasizing that the government should not interfere with media reporting, highlighting the tense relationship between politics and the media landscape.
- Legal Basis Dispute: Carr cited a 1969 Supreme Court ruling to assert that the FCC has the authority to revoke licenses deemed not in the public interest, yet this stance has sparked widespread legal and ethical debates, potentially impacting the FCC's credibility and future policy directions.
See More
