THE TRUTH, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP ME GOD

The return of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC has been met with loud criticism of broadcasters Nexstar and Sinclair, who declined to carry the program on their local stations. Some call this “censorship.” That charge does not hold up.

Here is the truth

• ABC chose to bring the show back. Kimmel still has a national platform. No one has been silenced.
   
• Broadcasters have discretion. Nexstar and Sinclair are FCC licensees with a duty to reflect community standards. Exercising judgment over programming is part of their responsibility.
   
• Advertisers and audiences matter. Protecting brand trust and viewer confidence is a business necessity, not a political calculation.
   
• This is stewardship, not suppression. The decision was about upholding standards and protecting the integrity of local broadcasting.
   

Nothing But the Truth

Calling Nexstar and Sinclair’s choice “censorship” ignores the facts. Broadcasters made a responsible business and constitutional judgment, consistent with their obligations to audiences, advertisers, and the public airwaves.