Sean Penn, the two-time Academy Award-winning actor, director, and outspoken activist, has never shied away from controversy or speaking his mind.

In a recent extended interview, Penn took the opportunity to address a range of issues — from internet misinformation to media accountability, and even a direct message to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The conversation revealed the intensity and introspection of a man who has weathered decades of both acclaim and criticism, and who continues to find himself at the heart of cultural and political firestorms.

During the nearly hour-long discussion, Penn didn’t hold back. He opened with a pointed critique of what he sees as the FCC’s failure to effectively regulate digital platforms that allow misinformation, harassment, and unchecked character assassination to thrive.

“We have a regulatory body that’s asleep at the wheel when it comes to the internet,” he said. “The FCC was created to protect the public interest. I’m not sure they even remember what that phrase means anymore.”

He argued that while the commission has maintained tight control over traditional broadcasting, it has done little to address the growing impact of online platforms that reach billions.

Penn’s message to the FCC was not one of censorship, he clarified, but of responsibility. He emphasized the need for oversight in a world where misinformation can spread with unprecedented speed and consequences.

Citing recent events where viral rumors distorted reality and impacted people’s lives — including his own — Penn called for a reassessment of how regulatory bodies adapt to the digital age. “We’ve handed the keys to a reckless machine that profits off confusion and outrage,” he said, his voice rising slightly. “Where’s the protection for the truth?”

The conversation then shifted toward Penn’s personal experience with online rumor mills — something he has endured for years. From alleged feuds to conspiracy theories, Penn has found himself repeatedly battling false narratives perpetuated by faceless online accounts and click-driven tabloids.

“There’s no correction mechanism,” he noted. “Once something is out there, it lives forever — no matter how false, how ridiculous. The internet doesn’t apologize.” Penn acknowledged that being a public figure means scrutiny, but he drew the line at what he described as “manufactured drama” and “digital character assassination.”

One particularly egregious example, Penn recalled, involved a fabricated story about his alleged involvement in an international scandal — something he said was entirely fictional but gained traction on social media for weeks.

“I woke up one morning and found myself trending for something I had no part in. No journalist called to verify. No editor stepped in. It just exploded,” he said.

The experience, he added, was a wake-up call not just about the internet’s capacity for chaos, but about society’s complicity in consuming and amplifying it. “We’ve become addicted to stories, not facts,” he said. “And it’s destroying people’s lives.”

Penn admitted that, at times, he’s considered withdrawing entirely from public life. The unrelenting scrutiny, the distortion of his intentions, and the pressure of living under a digital microscope have taken a toll.

Yet, he keeps returning — not for fame, he insists, but because of a deep-seated belief in using his voice and art for change. “I don’t always get it right,” he said candidly.

“But I’m trying. I’ve never wanted to be liked. I’ve wanted to be honest.” That honesty, though often polarizing, has defined much of Penn’s career and activism — from his trips to war zones and disaster areas to his candid, sometimes controversial political commentary.

The phrase “one battle after another” surfaced multiple times in the conversation, describing both Penn’s internal struggles and his external fights — for humanitarian causes, artistic integrity, and personal truth.

He spoke of the psychological cost of activism in a cynical world and the loneliness that sometimes accompanies taking a stand. “When you speak out, you lose people. Friends. Jobs. Sometimes even family,” he said. “But if you’re silent, you lose yourself.”

Despite the emotional wear and tear, Penn remains engaged in both the arts and humanitarian work. His nonprofit organization, CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort), continues to operate in global crisis zones, providing rapid response in situations ranging from pandemics to natural disasters.

That work, he said, has kept him grounded amid the chaos of celebrity culture. “When you’re standing in a tent in Haiti or on the streets of Ukraine, internet rumors don’t mean much,” he said. “You’re reminded what really matters — life, dignity, survival.”

The conversation also touched on the difficulty of reconciling Penn’s artistic passions with his activist impulses. He described filmmaking as a “sacred space” but acknowledged that the current media environment makes it hard to separate the art from the artist.

“People don’t just watch movies anymore. They dissect your political views, your private life, your past mistakes,” he said. “Art has become collateral damage in the culture war.” Still, Penn said he remains committed to making films that reflect human complexity and emotional truth — even if they risk backlash.

Reflecting on the state of the industry, Penn expressed concern over what he sees as a growing aversion to risk and nuance in Hollywood. Stories are being filtered through layers of corporate approval, algorithms, and fear of outrage.

“We’re packaging entertainment for fear, not for truth,” he said. “There’s a difference between being careful and being cowardly.” He called on studios and creators to resist the urge to sanitize or simplify their work to avoid controversy, arguing that true art must be brave enough to offend.

Despite the battles — public and private — Penn remains, as ever, a complex figure. His critics label him as arrogant, self-righteous, or difficult. His supporters see him as principled, passionate, and deeply committed to justice. He acknowledged both views with a shrug. “Maybe I’m both,” he said. “But I’d rather be fighting than fading.”

As the interview drew to a close, Penn returned to his core message — one he believes applies not just to the FCC or internet culture, but to society at large. “We have to start valuing the truth again,” he said.

“Not just what’s convenient, not just what’s entertaining. The truth. Otherwise, we’re lost.” His words were less of a sermon and more of a plea, voiced by someone who has lived through the fire and emerged, if not unscathed, then undeterred.

Sean Penn is not perfect, nor does he pretend to be. But in an age of carefully curated personas and media-trained platitudes, his raw, unfiltered approach stands out.

Whether delivering aid in disaster zones, creating emotionally charged cinema, or challenging institutional silence, Penn remains fiercely committed to being present — and vocal — in a world that too often rewards apathy. One battle after another, as he says. And he’s still in the fight.