Disney-owned ABC files First Amendment lawsuit against FCC
Disney's ABC has filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the FCC, alleging that the agency's early license renewal process is a retaliatory campaign against the network's critical coverage of Donald Trump. The FCC maintains its review is based on standard regulatory procedures.
Why it matters
This case raises significant questions regarding the intersection of government regulation, media independence, and political influence in the United States.
Disney's ABC has filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission , calling the government agency's recent investigation into the company a "retaliatory campaign" due to the nature of its programming, which has been critical of President Donald Trump.
The broadcast network filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
It comes months after the FCC launched an early renewal of a set of ABC's broadcast station licenses, citing concerns around the company's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
However, that early review process came shortly after renewed political backlash against ABC following comments made by TV host Jimmy Kimmel on his late-night show, which airs on the broadcast network. ABC has also faced criticism from the government around its daytime talk show, "The View."
ABC's lawsuit calls for the FCC to halt its early broadcast renewal proceedings.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in