FCC: Not Attempting to Meddle with Free Press

Republicans concerned study an attempt to control political journalism

The Federal Communications Commission is trying to reassure House Republicans it has no plans to restrict the freedom of the press.

In a letter released Thursday, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler told Republican leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee his commission "has no intention of regulating political or other speech of journalists or broadcasters."

Wheeler defended new FCC research as the first step toward pinpointing "market barriers" that might affect the "diversity of media voices."