Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has warned that broadcasters that they risk losing their licenses if they continue spreading misinformation, a practice known as "fake news". This warning comes in response to President Donald Trump's criticism of mainstream media. Carr emphasized the economic implications of these statements, noting that trust in legacy media has fallen to a low of 9% and that trust has been eroded. The FCC regulates television and radio stations by issuing licenses that allow them to use public airwaves, which must be periodically renewed. Under Chairman Carr, the agency has indicated a tougher stance on broadcast content under its "public interest" requirement and a rarely used "news distortion" rule as potential tools to scrutinize programming amid disputes over political coverage.