CBS lawyers say James Talarico interview could trigger FCC equal-time rule

Stephen Colbert said network lawyers told his show not to air an interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico because it might violate new FCC equal-time guidance; CBS said the program was provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the rule and the segment was later posted online.

Stephen Colbert said an interview with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico was removed from his broadcast after network lawyers raised concerns about violating new Federal Communications Commission guidance on equal-time for political candidates. Colbert said lawyers told the show not to have Talarico on air and not to mention the decision. CBS disputed that account, saying the program was provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule. The exchange occurred just before early voting opened in the Texas primary. Reported details: - Colbert said network lawyers called and instructed that Talarico could not appear on the broadcast and that the removal should not be discussed on air. - CBS said the show was given legal guidance that airing the interview could trigger the FCC equal-time rule. - Colbert posted the interview to the show's YouTube page and noted the segment would not run on broadcast television. - The FCC issued guidance in January questioning the talk-show exemption; neither CBS nor the FCC immediately responded to requests for comment. Summary: The disagreement highlights how broadcasters are responding to recent FCC guidance about candidate appearances on talk shows, and the interview was made available online rather than on broadcast television. Undetermined at this time.