ABC Opposes FCC’s Move to Dismiss First Amendment Lawsuit, Calls Early License Renewal ‘Broadcaster Death Penalty’
The network also says the Commission’s inquiry "is not to investigate discrimination; it is to license viewpoints" The post ABC Opposes FCC’s Move to Dismiss First Amendment Lawsuit, Calls Early License Renewal ‘Broadcaster Death Penalty’ appeared first on TheWrap .
ABC has opposed the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) motion to dismiss a First Amendment lawsuit against them, calling the commission's early license renewal for eight Disney-owned television stations a "broadcaster death penalty." The FCC sought a federal judge to dismiss ABC's lawsuit challenging the agency's early review of licenses for these stations on September 4.
According to the filing, the FCC's move does not aim to investigate discrimination but rather to license viewpoints. The network argued that the FCC's motions improperly conflated ABC's retaliation claims. The opposition comes on the September 17 reply deadline, which is part of the judge's briefing schedule ahead of a hearing scheduled for the week of October 5.
ABC claimed that the FCC's purpose in initiating the early license renewal process was to use the threat of license non-renewal or revocation as leverage over them, affecting their editorial decisions. A bipartisan group of 18 former FCC leaders filed a brief in support of ABC's motion, alleging that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr violated the First Amendment by threatening retaliation against speech he disagreed with.
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