ABC, Disney Sue FCC, Alleging 1st Amendment Violations
ABC, Disney Sue FCC, Alleging Retaliation and First Amendment Violations
ABC, Disney Sue FCC, Alleging Retaliation and First Amendment Violations
ABC and its parent company, Disney, have sued the Federal Communications Commission, accusing the agency of using its regulatory authority to retaliate against the network over its news coverage and programming.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in federal court in Washington, D.C., challenges the FCC’s decision to accelerate reviews of the broadcast licenses held by eight ABC-owned television stations. The licenses were not originally scheduled for review until later, making the early proceedings an unusual move.
ABC and Disney argue that the FCC’s actions amount to government pressure intended to influence the network’s editorial decisions. The companies describe the license review as part of what they call a “retaliatory campaign” against ABC because of programming and coverage that has drawn criticism from President Donald Trump and his administration.
The dispute has unfolded amid growing tensions between Trump and ABC. The president has publicly criticized the network and its programming, including late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, has also taken a closer look at ABC, including investigations involving the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices and questions surrounding programming and political coverage.
ABC contends that the regulatory scrutiny has had a chilling effect on its journalism and programming. According to the lawsuit, the company has altered some programming decisions because of concerns about additional government action. Reuters reported that ABC said it had reduced political appearances on programs including The View and avoided certain political content because of the pressure.
The FCC disputes ABC and Disney’s characterization of the proceedings. The agency says its actions are part of its responsibility to ensure that broadcasters comply with federal law and operate in the public interest. An FCC statement described Disney as engaging in a “campaign of disinformation” and said the agency would continue to follow “the facts and law wherever they lead.”
The lawsuit asks a federal judge to halt the early license-review proceedings while the constitutional dispute is considered. Disney and ABC argue that allowing the FCC to use broadcast licensing as leverage over editorial decisions would threaten fundamental First Amendment protections.
ABC, Disney Sue FCC, Alleging Retaliation and First Amendment Violations was originally published on rnbphilly.com
