Podcast Summary: The Chris Cuomo Project

Episode: Why the FCC Is Going After Colbert
Host: Chris Cuomo
Date: February 19, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Chris Cuomo delves into the controversy surrounding CBS and Stephen Colbert, focusing on why an interview with Texas State Representative James Talarico was abruptly barred. Cuomo explores government regulation of media, the history and impact of the FCC’s equal time and fairness doctrines, and the deeper implications for free speech and media independence in America—with particular criticism aimed at corporate and governmental overreach. Throughout, Cuomo advocates emphatically for more speech, less censorship, and an urgent reevaluation of the outsized, unregulated influence of social media.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Barred Interview: Free Speech in Jeopardy

• [00:00] Cuomo reveals that his network’s lawyers forbade Colbert from hosting or even referencing James Talarico, a Texas State Representative and U.S. Senate candidate.
• This censorship, Cuomo argues, is emblematic of broader attacks on free speech:
  "Everybody likes to say they're for free speech. Everybody likes to say they're against censorship until they don't like the speech..." — Chris Cuomo [00:18]
• Talarico, rather than CBS or Colbert, emerges as a "winner" by being thrust into the national spotlight despite the ban.

2. Winners and Losers in Censorship’s Wake

• Cuomo draws analogies with journalists like Don Lemon and Georgia Fort, showing how controversy can sometimes aggrandize the 'censored.'
• Highlights the asymmetric nature of media attention and the precariousness of fighting the federal government:
  "Georgia Fort made all the right calls… she doesn’t get any of the shine. She’s not getting any of the support." — Chris Cuomo [01:58]

3. Colbert and Corporate Control

• Chris bluntly states Colbert was “wrong” for defying his employer but stops short of labeling his actions illegal: "He is absolutely doing something wrong. 100%. Something illegal? No way." — Chris Cuomo [03:08]
• The network, Cuomo says, had the right to fire him but chose not to, possibly due to internal politics or broader corporate strategies.

4. The Real Players: CBS, Federal Law, and the FCC

• [04:00] CBS and its owner Paramount are "absolutely wrong" for overreacting, Cuomo argues.
• He provides a concise legal primer:
  • Equal Time Rule (1934 Communications Act): Applies only to radio and broadcast TV, not cable or internet. Ensures any political candidate given airtime is matched by offering time to their opponent.
  • CBS could have simply balanced Talarico’s appearance with equal time for his rivals.

5. History of Broadcast Regulation

• Cuomo dives into the evolution of regulation:
  • Mayflower Doctrine: Banned editorializing on radio.
  • The Fairness Doctrine (Zapple Doctrine): Mandated “both sides” whenever controversial topics aired.
  • Repeal in 1985 after concerns it chilled speech—though, Cuomo notes, bad ideas now often get more traction than good ones online: "Better ideas will become apparent… I screwed up because I assumed the better ideas would be getting the dominant amount of exposure. It's not so much in social media." — Chris Cuomo [11:33]

6. Why Social Media Broke the System

• Cuomo rails against the lack of any equal time/fairness rules on the internet, noting the toxic, divisive design of social media algorithms:
  "No other media agent… all these things… you have none of them on social media. None. They create algorithms that play to the worst of us, that deliver us mis and disinformation, provocation, and outrage." — Chris Cuomo [13:20]
• He calls Section 230, which shields platforms from liability, "a huge mistake," arguing it must be repealed.

7. CBS and Paramount: Wrong Moves and Political Pressures

• After the ad break [ad omitted], Cuomo double downs:
  • CBS did not need to block Colbert’s segment—simply offering equal time would suffice.
  • Suggests Paramount (CBS’s owner) may be acting to avoid scrutiny or curry favor with the Trump administration—a politically motivated form of self-censorship masked as legal compliance. "To say that it's a preemptive move for the equal time doctrine is bullshit. Just say we want to be nice to Trump. Don't try to make it like you're being high handed..." — Chris Cuomo [39:52]

8. Journalistic Standards & Government Regulation

• Cuomo discusses "bona fide news" exemptions—news shows like his are exempt from equal time rules due to editorial discretion.
• Highlights irony: entertainment shows like Colbert’s are included in exemptions meant for journalism, further blurring lines between news and entertainment in America.

9. The Case for More (Not Less) Speech

• Cuomo advocates for practicing fairness voluntarily rather than by law. He criticizes partisanship in the booking practices of networks like MSNBC and Fox News:
  "Why is it that we have the FCC and they're making rules—why doesn't it apply to everything then? Because where we need it most is where we have it the least, which is social media..." — Chris Cuomo [22:45]
• Optimizes for inclusion: "More speech, not less. Don't censor. Allow the best ideas to rise." — Chris Cuomo [52:40]

10. Final Reflections: Media, Regulation, and Independence

• Reasserts that CBS/Paramount could have and should have chosen more, not less, speech.
• Refreshes his NewsNation booking policy: he would welcome Talarico, Crockett, and Republican rivals, giving viewers all perspectives without regulatory compulsion.
• Emphasizes that overregulation of journalism opens the door to political interference:
  "Do you really want the Trump administration to be telling you how to practice fairness or journalism? I don't." — Chris Cuomo [48:23]
• Asserts that America's urgent problem is not TV or radio but the unchecked power and polarizing incentives of social media.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Free Speech and Censorship:
  "Everybody likes to say they're for free speech. Everybody likes to say they're against censorship until they don't like the speech..." — Chris Cuomo [00:18]
• On the Flaws of the Equal Time Rule:
  "There is no such thing as preemptive equal time rule. This is not how it works." — Chris Cuomo [04:38]
• On Colbert's Responsibility:
  "Colbert's definitely in the wrong now. I would argue he's fighting the right fight, but it's not his fight to have, it's his bosses." — Chris Cuomo [25:13]
• On Social Media and Section 230:
  "Section 230 that exempts them from any kind of responsibility or litigation was a huge mistake. It has to be removed." — Chris Cuomo [15:22]
• On Voluntary Fairness:
  "That is my brand is being fair. I would have on Jasmine Crockett and I would compare the two. Maybe not the same night... that's a lot of Texas Senate. But I would do it and I'd have on the Republican. Why? Because at News Nation... all voices are welcome. I don't censor, I don't shade in terms of the guests..." — Chris Cuomo [43:39]
• On Corporate Overreach:
  "To say that it's a preemptive move for the equal time doctrine is bullshit. Just say we want to be nice to Trump. Don't try to make it like you're being high handed and don't have the lawyers handle it. It's not a legal issue. It's not." — Chris Cuomo [39:52]
• On What Should Happen Next:
  "More speech, not less. Don't censor. Allow the best ideas to rise. Our problem is social media, where none of these rules are at play." — Chris Cuomo [52:40]

Important Timestamps

• Introduction & Theme Setup: [00:00-03:00]
• Historical Perspective on Media Rules: [06:30-12:00]
• Social Media Problem & Section 230: [13:00-15:30]
• CBS/Paramount Motivations & Analysis: [37:00-42:00]
• Exemption for Bona Fide News & Entertainment Shows: [26:40-30:30]
• On Voluntary Journalistic Fairness: [43:00-46:00]
• Case for "More Speech, Not Less": [52:30-end]

Tone & Style

• Chris Cuomo’s delivery throughout is forthright, opinionated, and conversational.
• He uses humor and occasional profanity to underscore points, maintaining a direct and relatable style.
• The focus remains on complexity without condescension, championing critical thinking and independence.

Summary Takeaways

• The Colbert/Talarico controversy is less about the legalities of the equal time doctrine and more about corporate cover, political pressure, and the dangers of self-censorship.
• Cuomo is passionate about defending the First Amendment, skeptical of government regulation of speech, and scathing toward social media’s unregulated influence.
• The core message: In contemporary America, more speech and diversity of opinion, not less, is the only path to fairness and informed citizenship. The greatest threat isn’t from broadcast rules—but from the invisible, unchecked power of internet algorithms and political/corporate gatekeeping.

For listeners seeking honest, nuanced takes on media regulation and the free speech wars, this episode is a robust, critical, and highly accessible breakdown.