The notice assesses TV ratings generally, but specifically states that these industry guidelines exclude shows containing “transgender and gender non-binary programming” from being considered suitable for children. It argues that this information is not provided to parents, “which reduces the ability of parents to make informed choices for their families.”
In the document, the FCC poses a series of open questions about TV ratings development, including whether the board responsible for the guidelines is “sufficiently balanced” with viewpoints outside the entertainment industry and whether faith-based organizations should be represented on the body.
“What more can the Board do to incorporate family-oriented perspectives – which are not well represented in the media industry – into its ratings process?” the notice asks.
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FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced a public notice on X, stating that “parents have raised concerns over the industry’s approach.” He said these parents believe that “New York and Hollywood programmers” promote objectionable material in children’s programming without telling parents. Carr did not mention gender identity in her ex-post.
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TV parental guidelines may include both ratings for content as well as descriptors that include foul language, sexual situations, and violence.
LGBTQ+ advocates criticized the public notice, arguing that it amounted to discrimination and censorship.
“Trump’s FCC is trying to turn transgender people into a warning label,” Tyler Hack, executive director of the transgender rights advocacy group Christopher Street Project, said in a statement. “This is dehumanizing, and it is part of a broader political strategy to stigmatize LGBTQ+ people in every corner of public life.”
Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, called the notice an overreach by the government.
“Media companies should be allowed to create and broadcast stories that reflect one-quarter of their audience without interference from a government agency with its own anti-transgender political agenda,” Ellis said in a statement.
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This is not the first time Carr has been accused of censorship. Carr has claimed that the broadcaster broadcasts “hoaxes” and “news distortions” that are also unfavorable to President Trump. Carr suggested that the licenses of such broadcasters would not be renewed.
In March, dozens of free speech experts argued in an open letter to Carr that his threats against broadcasters are “unlawful jabs” and that his vague characterization of “fake news” violates the First Amendment. The authors called on Carr to “withdraw” his threats.
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