Freedom of speech is not a Democrat or Republican issue. It’s an all-of-us issue | Opinion

Someone who threatens and intimidates people because he doesn’t like what was said about him. Someone who pressures journalists, media companies and even comedians to align with his views. Someone who uses the levers of government to punish opponents and reward supporters.

Sound like a strongman running a far-away, third-world country? It’s Donald Trump, his administration and their political playbook.

The Federal Communications Commission — now with the aid of the Nexstar broadcast group — is threatening free speech and first amendment rights.

Following the horrific killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr made an unprecedented warning that “we can do this the easy way or the hard way” while urging the ABC-TV network and its affiliates to take action against Jimmy Kimmel for remarks he made on his late-night show.  

The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, temporarily suspended Kimmel’s program. Even though Disney allowed him to return a week later, the show is still not being seen on ABC stations owned by Nexstar, including WTVO in Rockford. 

Kimmel said it best himself during his first show back on the air. Whether you like him or not, whether you watch his show or not, whether you found his comment offensive or not, we should support Kimmel’s right to share his beliefs and poke fun at the president.

The ability to make fun of political leaders and criticize them is what makes America great. Threats by the FCC to take away broadcast licenses because the president and his supporters don’t like what was said about them is UN-American.

As a former TV journalist who worked for 25 years at WTVO, I’m alarmed by the Trump administration’s aggressive moves against the media. This is the latest in a string of attacks against news outlets and media figures just because they’re critical of him. Trump has filed lawsuits against outlets whose coverage he dislikes and seeks to control media companies and other organizations.

In fact, I passed legislation this past spring in the Illinois General Assembly that allows journalists and companies that employ them to stop frivolous lawsuits from people who don’t like what was written or said about them.

Donald Trump doesn’t get to dictate what Americans can say politically. And government should not threaten companies to take people off the air if its leaders don’t like what they’re hearing.

This should not be a Democrat or Republican issue. This should not be a liberal or conservative issue. We should all protect free speech. Even Republican U.S. Senator Ted Cruz said FCC actions are unbelievably dangerous and compared Carr’s rhetoric to mob tactics.

Speak out and make your voices heard. That’s the only way to fight back against efforts by this administration to silence critics. 

It’s shocking to see the willingness of some major U.S. companies to bow to government intimidation. Viewers need to be aware that Nexstar has pending business before the FCC: a proposed merger with another big station group. One has to wonder: Is Nexstar caving to government pressure to win approval for its merger? 

Finally, I want to make the point that I’m not criticizing local employees at WTVO, but I am criticizing their corporate bosses. If American corporations think they can preserve their independence by making a deal with a strongman, they’re wrong. This tactic will only worsen.

We must protect our first amendment freedoms.

Steve Stadelman represents the Rockford area in the Illinois Senate.