Nixon allies file FCC license challenges against Washington Post Florida TV stations

Nixon White House allies file license challenges with the FCC against two Florida television stations owned by the Washington Post Company — WJXT in Jacksonville and WPLG in Miami — shortly after the Post intensifies its Watergate reporting. White House communications director Clay Whitehead coordinates the effort. Nixon White House tapes later reveal Nixon explicitly discussing using FCC license threats to inflict financial damage on the Post and suppress its coverage. The campaign succeeds economically without license revocation: Washington Post Company stock drops sharply when the challenges are filed, costing the company millions. The episode establishes the modern template for using license threats as political leverage against broadcasters.