ABC and Disney sue FCC over early broadcast-license review
ABC, its parent Disney and eight local stations filed a federal lawsuit claiming the FCC’s demand for early renewal of their broadcast licenses violates their First Amendment rights.
ABC and its parent company Disney have sued the Federal Communications Commission, seeking to block the agency’s order for an early review of eight broadcast-license renewals. The lawsuit argues that the FCC’s action, ordered in April by Chairman Brendan Carr, infringes on the network’s First Amendment rights and threatens its operations.
The plaintiffs contend that the early-review decision was prompted by the network’s diversity policies and followed a late-night monologue that criticized the president, alleging that the administration has repeatedly targeted ABC’s speech. They ask a federal court to issue an injunction preventing the FCC from proceeding with or threatening any action related to the license applications.
The dispute is part of a broader conflict between the network and the commission, which has also sought to apply equal-time rules to the morning program “The View.” Anna Gomez, the lone Democratic commissioner, praised the lawsuit, saying the FCC has used the threat of license revocation to punish speech the administration disfavors. Carr defended the FCC’s actions, stating broadcasters must serve the public interest in exchange for access to the airwaves.
The FCC has not responded to requests for comment.