TV networks are more vulnerable to political pressure today
President Nixon tried and failed to cancel a TV show. Today, media companies are more willing to give in to political pressure because of changes...
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This article compares how Presidents Nixon and Trump tried to silence TV talk show hosts who criticized them. Nixon wanted to remove Dick Cavett from TV because Cavett supported anti-war activists. Nixon used many methods like calling network bosses and government investigations, but he failed.
ABC executives refused to give in to political pressure. However, things changed with Trump. In 2025, CBS canceled Stephen Colbert's show and ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel temporarily.
This happened because the media world is very different now. First, fewer people watch traditional TV, especially young people. Second, big corporations now own most TV networks after years of deregulation.
These companies care more about profits and need government approval for business deals. Third, Trump used stronger tactics than Nixon, calling media 'the enemy of the people.' The article says this shows how free speech is in danger today.
Original Article
theconversation.comhttps://theconversation.com/even-as-jimmy-kimmel-returns-to-the-airwaves-tv-networks-remain-more-vulnerable-to-political-pressure-than-ever-before-265653