ABC has sued the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), arguing that it is being retaliated against for content-based reasons in a move it warns threatens the independence of the press. The network filed the lawsuit on Tuesday after being forced to apply early to renew its license to broadcast on the eight local television stations it owns. It is waiting to hear whether the Brendan Carr-led FCC approves its renewal requests, or, more likely, holds a hearing on their merits.
Late last month, a group of prominent former FCC officials, including key staffers and commissioners appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents, issued a warning – in a filing – that the agency is trying to send a “chilling message” to broadcasters after forcing ABC to apply early. Conservative organizations, including the Center for American Rights and the Media Research Center, filed petitions urging the FCC to deny the renewals, arguing that the network’s journalism is politically biased. ABC also still faces an FCC investigation over the daytime talkshow The View for a potential violation of equal time rules, an inquiry that remains open.
Again and again, the Administration has attacked ABC’s speech – the stories its journalists report and the viewpoints its network programs air. Over time, those attacks have escalated into express demands that ABC be stripped of its broadcast licenses because of its speech.” The lawsuit makes clear that ABC does not expect the FCC to renew its licenses, posing an existential threat to the network. ABC’s lawyers argued that, if left unchecked, the Trump administration would have the ability to retaliate against any media company they dislike for editorial and political purposes.
The Guardian has approached ABC for comment on the lawsuit. An FCC spokesperson said: “All broadcasters have a legal obligation to operate in the public interest—even Disney. The FCC has been examining claims that Disney engaged in illegal DEI discrimination for over a year.
Disney is obviously very concerned about the FCC’s proceeding, as evidenced by their ongoing campaign of disinformation as well as their decision to ask a court to stop the FCC from further pursuing matters. The FCC will continue to follow the facts and law wherever they lead.” Anna M Gomez, the lone Democrat on the FCC, issued a statement commending ABC for filing suit against the agency. (Gomez was included as a defendant in the case.) “For months, the FCC has waged a campaign of censorship and control against Disney’s ABC stations, using the threat of broadcast license revocations to punish a company for speech this administration doesn’t like. I have long called on companies to push back against this kind of government intimidation, and I’m glad Disney has shown courage and stepped up.
This should be a welcome sign for every broadcaster who has felt the weight of this overreaching government pressure in silence,” she said.
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