Kimmel, Talarico Cry 'Censorship' Over Their Interview - but There's a Small Problem With That Claim
Talarico called ABC’s decision to keep his interview off broadcast television government censorship.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYRedState is a partisan outlet, and this article uses openly opinionated language while arguing against the claims it reports. It identifies its author and quotes the participants, but offers limited independent evidence or competing analysis of the FCC issue.
- Source type — Partisan political news and commentary outlet; the article's framing is explicitly conservative.
- Editorial standards — The piece includes attributed statements and references other reporting, but relies mainly on commentary rather than independent reporting.
- Author attribution — The article identifies Nick Arama as its author.
- Source diversity — It quotes Kimmel and Talarico but does not include an FCC or ABC explanation of the equal-time issue.
The article presents the public statements at issue and explains its equal-time-rule argument, but its loaded language and limited sourcing make the analysis one-sided. It does not provide an FCC response or detailed explanation of how the rule applies.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article reports Kimmel’s and Talarico’s statements but then directly dismisses them and advances a counterargument without an independent FCC or ABC explanation. Its language is openly critical rather than neutral.
- Counterarguments presented — It raises the equal-time-rule counterargument and identifies Paxton as the opposing candidate, but does not substantiate the rule's application with an independent source.
- Loaded language — Repeatedly characterizes the subjects as whining and their claims as nonsense.
- Source diversity — Includes quoted remarks and references other outlets, but lacks comment from the FCC or ABC on the regulatory issue.
- Opinion vs reporting — Commentary and evaluative judgments dominate the article.
The article uses derisive language toward Kimmel and Talarico and frames their censorship claims as partisan nonsense. Its conclusion favors the Republican candidate’s equal-time position.
- Language tone — Uses dismissive terms such as “whining” and “absolute nonsense” for the claims it criticizes.
- Framing — Frames the dispute as a partisan effort to help the Democratic candidate rather than as a potential censorship concern.
- Source selection — Quotes Kimmel and Talarico but does not present an FCC or ABC account of the equal-time concerns.
Jimmy Kimmel said his interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico would appear on YouTube rather than ABC amid FCC equal-time concerns. RedState rejects Talarico’s censorship claim and argues that ABC should provide equal time to Republican candidate Ken Paxton.
Kimmel said he had interviewed Talarico, the Democratic Senate candidate in Texas, but that the interview would be posted on YouTube rather than broadcast on ABC because of FCC equal-time concerns. Kimmel said the FCC had threatened him, his show, ABC and local stations. Talarico called the situation “government censorship” and said he remained hopeful the interview could air.
RedState argues that the issue is the equal-time rule, not censorship, and says ABC would be helping Talarico if it did not give Paxton, his Republican opponent, equal time. The article also mentions reports that Kimmel’s show may end, which ABC called “inaccurate” and “speculative.”
Community verdict
10 VOTES
People in this story
SWIPE →Texas Senate candidate whose interview and censorship claim are discussed
President whose administration Kimmel says has threatened ABC and its programs
Republican Senate candidate identified as Talarico’s opponent
Senator mentioned as a candidate Kimmel interviewed in the past
Part of a bigger story
46 OUTLETSOutlets agree Jimmy Kimmel said his interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico would be posted on YouTube instead of airing on ABC, amid a dispute over FCC pressure and equal-time rules. Left-leaning outlets frame the move as a consequence of FCC pressure on political speech. Center outlets focus on how equal-time rules and FCC scrutiny may affect political interviews, generally attributing claims and including official responses. Right-leaning outlets are more skeptical of the censorship claim, with some emphasizing equal-time rules and others reporting Kimmel’s account alongside a denial.
- ARTICLES
- 62
- OUTLETS
- 46
- AVG CRED
- 73
Discussion · 0
Loading comments…