More from the article ...

... "As America's 250th anniversary approaches, it is important to reflect on the ideals and events that have defined our past while keeping an eye towards our country's bright future," Carr said in a statement Friday. "I am calling on broadcasters to pledge to provide programming that promotes civic education, national pride, and our shared history."

But Carr's message to broadcasters comes as his critics are already uncomfortable with the agency's incursion into policing media content, which they say is an attempt to please President Donald Trump while infringing on the First Amendment.

Several broadcasters also have pending mergers and regulatory requests before the FCC, which could influence their response to Carr's request.

In the latest flare-up this week, CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert accused corporate lawyers at his network of unduly capitulating to new equal time guidance from Carr and sidelining his interview with Democratic Senate contender James Talarico -- claims that CBS later denied and Carr dismissed, saying Colbert had other options to air that interview.

Carr's new initiative takes the form of a voluntary "Pledge America Campaign" that broadcasters can join. ...