Stephen Colbert says CBS barred interview with James Talarico on The Late Show
The Express Tribune22 hrs
CBS Blocks Colbert From Airing Talarico Interview
Is the FCC correctly enforcing equal-time rules or is corporate media surrendering to authoritarian intimidation?
Above: Stephen Colbert on The Late Show on Dec. 18, 2025. Image credit: Scott Kowalchyk/CBS/Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
This is the latest example of corporate media surrendering to authoritarian intimidation. This represents the most dangerous form of cancel culture — coming from the top — as executives sell out First Amendment rights to curry favor with corrupt politicians. Networks are transforming into Fox News clones — abandoning journalistic integrity to embrace MAGA ideology and silence criticism of the administration.
Republican narrative
Networks spent years turning talk shows into one-sided political programming while hiding behind news exemptions, hosting dozens of Democrat politicians without a single Republican. The FCC is simply enforcing longstanding equal-time rules that Democrats demanded when Republicans appeared on shows in 2004 and 2006. The FCC is just ensuring that television doesn't become a propaganda machine for one party.
Editor's Note
This story currently has limited reporting from right-leaning sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.
Political split
LEFT
RIGHT
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0