Gomez Blasts 'Baseless Attacks' on Public Media

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez condemned the agency’s investigations of PBS and NPR stations Wednesday in a release detailing her visit to public media broadcaster WHYY in Philadelphia last week. WHYY has PBS and NPR affiliate stations. “Baseless attacks on public media threaten to create a new kind of news desert -- one where communities can’t access the local critical information they need,” Gomez said. “The FCC must prioritize protecting and expanding the public’s access to timely, accurate news, free from political interference.” Regulators' decisions “have real consequences for communities that rely on local news stations for critical information,” she said. The release said the visit is part of Gomez's effort to engage with local broadcasters. “Through these visits, Commissioner Gomez is also drawing attention to how unfounded attacks on public media can disrupt the distribution of local news and emergency information,” it said. The FCC didn’t comment.