Disney-FCC Fight Could Test Limits of Presidential Pressure on TV Networks
Disney's fight with the FCC could reshape limits on government pressure against TV broadcasters.
The Walt Disney Company has requested a federal judge to halt an early Federal Communications Commission (FCC) review of licenses held by eight company-owned television stations, a case that could define the limits of presidential pressure on TV networks. If the FCC's investigation into Disney's employment practices is found to be a pretext for retaliation against the network's editorial content, it could set a dangerous precedent for future regulatory actions.
The timing of the review, announced just days after President Donald Trump criticized ABC for a joke about him and First Lady Melania Trump, is being closely scrutinized as potential evidence of retaliation. Disney argues that the review is an attempt to silence critical coverage, while the FCC maintains that it is investigating Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and employment practices, not punishing the company for its programming.
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