ABC sues FCC over early broadcast license review, citing First Amendment concerns
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
ABC has filed a lawsuit in Washington, D.C., alleging that the FCC's early review of its broadcast licenses is a retaliatory action tied to the network's programming, and seeks to halt the proceedings.
ABC, a Disney-owned broadcast network, filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission in a Washington, D.C., district court, claiming the agency’s early review of the network’s broadcast licenses is a retaliatory response to its programming. The lawsuit seeks an order requiring the FCC to stop the early renewal process.
The FCC began the review in April, years before the licenses are due to expire, citing concerns about ABC’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices. ABC responded in May, stating it submitted the renewal applications "under protest in response to an unlawful, arbitrary, and unconstitutional order" from the commission.
"We continue to face irreparable harm from the administration, which has been acting through the FCC," the network said in its filing.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by President Donald Trump, told CNBC that the agency’s focus is on Disney’s DEI practices and that the early renewal is not related to First Amendment issues. The commission has not yet commented on the lawsuit.
Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro reiterated the company’s stance in a recent interview, saying, "Our position is clear. We are principled, we will stand up for journalistic integrity, and we will not be told how to run that side of our business."