ABC sues U.S. broadcast regulator over early licence reviews, calling it an 'existential threat'
Further escalating its battle with the Trump administration, ABC on Tuesday took the rare step of suing the Federal Communications Commission on First Amendment grounds, saying the agency's demand for early review of broadcast licences posed an "existential threat" to its operations.
Disney and its eight owned-and-operated TV stations have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prevent early licence renewals for ABC stations. The lawsuit argues that the network is being unfairly targeted due to its editorial content, a claim the plaintiffs label as "government censorship is deeply un-American."
The FCC has ordered licence renewals for the Disney-owned ABC stations in April, marking the first time such an order has occurred in over fifty years. The plaintiffs allege that the push for early renewals stems from complaints about ABC's editorial content and is directed by President Donald Trump. FCC chairman Brendan Carr maintains that the renewal requests are based on public interest, not retaliation.
If broadcasters do not like the FCC's requirements, Carr stated, they can transition to cable channels, podcasts, or online streaming. Disney contends that the FCC's order is unprecedented and implies a retaliatory campaign against ABC for its perceived negative coverage, citing Trump's own social media posts as evidence. After ABC's late-night host Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about First Lady Melania Trump, the FCC ordered Kimmel off air, but he was quickly reinstated due to public backlash. The lawsuit requests a speedy hearing and a temporary restraining order from the court.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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