WASHINGTON – Local TV stations owned by ABC across the United States are pushing back against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which they claim is conducting an “unlawful, arbitrary and unconstitutional” early review of their broadcast licenses. This conflict arises amid a growing tension between the network and the FCC, which is currently overseen by officials aligned with former President Donald Trump.
In a formal objection filed by WABC in New York, the station expressed concern that the FCC’s actions represent a blatant attempt to silence voices that the agency may dislike. The objection stated, “It is an extraordinary demonstration of power and coercion directed at disfavored editorial voices which sends a clear warning to every broadcaster in America.” This sentiment was echoed by ABC-owned stations in seven other markets, all of which submitted similar objections.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has defended the agency, stating that “broadcast licensees have a unique obligation to operate in the public interest.” However, the early reviews initiated in April have drawn significant scrutiny, particularly since they affect ABC-owned stations in major cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, which were not expected to undergo license renewals until between 2028 and 2031.
Carr also emphasized the agency’s interest in Disney’s diversity practices and implied that ABC’s responses to the FCC’s inquiries had been unsatisfactory. This scrutiny comes amidst broader investigations into the network’s handling of various issues, including its editorial decisions and guest bookings on programs like “The View.”
Anna Gomez, the only Democrat on the FCC, has labeled these reviews as an “egregious assault on the First Amendment.” She has urged major media outlets to stand up against the agency’s actions, predicting they would win if the matter reached court. Recently, Gomez praised the ABC stations for calling out the FCC, describing the reviews as “naked political retribution and an unlawful assault on free speech and a free press.”
WABC has asserted that the real harm extends beyond the network itself, stating, “The ultimate injury here is not to the station or its parent company. It is to the public.” The station argues that when regulatory pressures influence editorial decisions, it ultimately deprives the public of unbiased journalism.
This situation marks a notable shift in ABC’s response to political pressures. Recently, the network faced backlash after settling a $15 million defamation case, which did not quell criticism from Trump and his supporters. In a more assertive defense of free speech, ABC has challenged FCC inquiries regarding compliance with equal time rules, warning that political discussions are being stifled under the current administration.
In a recent filing, representatives for KTRK-TV and ABC stated, “The Commission’s actions threaten to upend decades of settled law and practice and chill critical protected speech, both with respect to The View and more broadly.”
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Associated Press writer Jocelyn Noveck in New York contributed to this report.
