Disney’s ABC challenges FCC, escalating fight over free speech

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ABC, the network owned by Walt Disney Co., is strongly opposing attempts by the Federal Communications Commission to change its shows. They argue the FCC is overstepping its authority and infringing on First Amendment rights protecting free speech.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a rare decision last week to review the operating licenses of eight television stations owned by Disney. Many believe this action was intended to discourage the network from critical reporting, and it followed a public request from President Trump that ABC fire Jimmy Kimmel after Kimmel made a joke about First Lady Melania Trump.

The Federal Communications Commission is also scrutinizing “The View,” ABC’s talk show known for its political discussions.

The Federal Communications Commission is considering whether the show, featuring outspoken critics of Donald Trump like Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar, should still be allowed to avoid rules requiring equal airtime for all sides of a political issue. These rules typically apply to broadcasters.

Disney’s Houston TV station escalated the disagreement over the show “The View” in a filing with the FCC this week. They argued the FCC’s actions are unusual and exceed its legal power. The station’s request for a ruling stated that “The View” has consistently been a legitimate news interview program, free to interview any legally qualified political candidate.

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ABC television stations, which are owned by Disney, are facing increased attention and criticism because of jokes made about the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

In a legal filing, Houston’s KTRK-TV argued that the Commission’s actions could overturn long-established legal precedents and discourage protected free speech, not only regarding the show The View, but in general.

ABC’s strong position is likely to cause conflict with the Trump administration and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who has repeatedly criticized Kimmel and other ABC shows. Earlier this year, Carr declared that long-standing exceptions to the “equal time rule” – which applies to news programs like “The View” – were now revoked.

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It isn’t easy to suspend a TV station’s broadcast license, but it’s happened before.

ABC’s strenuous arguments mark a departure for the Disney-owned outlet.

Shortly after Donald Trump won a second term in November 2024, ABC News reached a quick settlement with him regarding comments made by news anchor George Stephanopoulos that he considered offensive. ABC agreed to pay Trump $15 million to drop his lawsuit, a decision that drew criticism from those who defend free speech, who argued the network should have fought the case.

The station acknowledged that some people might disagree with the opinions shared on shows like The View. However, it argued that simply disliking those views isn’t a valid reason to use government regulations to silence them. The government shouldn’t be able to dictate what people are allowed to believe or say about politics, national identity, religion, or any other topic.

The station pointed out that while the FCC has raised concerns about a 2002 exemption for the show “The View,” it hasn’t shown any intention of regulating other programs on different networks, even those with diverse viewpoints – both conservative and liberal – on traditional radio.

ABC expressed concern that the government might choose to control some viewpoints while allowing others to go unchallenged.

On April 28th, Carr requested that Disney’s broadcast licenses be reviewed, even though those licenses weren’t up for renewal for another two years. He based this request on an ongoing year-long investigation into Disney’s diversity and inclusion policies, specifically whether those policies violated federal anti-discrimination laws.

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2026-05-08 21:31