I have directed the FCC to take a stand on behalf of the First Amendment," she said. "We draw a bright line at a moment when clarity about government interference with the free press is needed more than ever.

Citing various past presidents who clashed with the press, Rosenworcel noted that “More recently this threat to the First Amendment has taken on new forms, as the incoming President has called on the Federal Communications Commission to revoke licenses for broadcast television stations because he disagrees with their content and coverage.

The departing chairwoman of the FCC, Jessica Rosenworcel, warned of efforts to tie the broadcast station license renewals to news content, as the agency dismissed a series of complaints brought from the left and the right.

Chair Jessica Rosenworcel is dismissing four high profile petitions before the agency before she vacates the position, saying such action is necessary to protect the First Amendment. In a statement on Thursday,

Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has dismissed four complaints against local TV stations that "seek to weaponize" the agency and are "at odds" with the First Amendment.