ABC asks judge to block FCC early license review
An ABC lawyer argued the FCC was effectively forcing the broadcast company to sit with its "head on a guillotine" while it awaits a decision about its license renewals.
On Tuesday, Disney's ABC sought a federal judge's intervention to halt the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from conducting an early review of the network's broadcast licenses. The network argued that the FCC's move was politically motivated and aimed at punishing ABC for content it deemed offensive to the Trump administration.
During a hearing in Washington D.C., ABC's attorney, Beth Wilkinson, likened the FCC's actions to the French Revolution, stating the agency was essentially forcing ABC to place its fate in the hands of the regulator. Wilkinson added that the regulatory action was chilling ABC's editorial decisions, potentially leading to the revocation of its licenses.
She cited a July speech by President Trump in which he criticized ABC and NBC for not airing his speech, stating it as a "direct threat" to her client. The Justice Department, defending the FCC, argued that the agency's decision to order an early review was due to Disney's failure to respond adequately to an ongoing investigation into the company's diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
The FCC claimed it needed more information for its investigation, but ABC refused to cooperate. The case now hinges on whether Disney and ABC have the legal right to challenge the FCC's early renewal process in a U.S. district court.
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