ABC filed with the FCC on Friday accusing the commission of violating its First Amendment rights, as Chair Brendan Carr scrutinizes whether programs like 'The View' qualify as 'bona fide news' — a distinction that affects constitutional protections Congress extended to broadcasters. The filing called Carr's review 'unprecedented, beyond the Commission's authority, and counterproductive to the Commission's stated goal of encouraging free speech and open political discussion.'
The commission separately called Disney-owned local stations in for early license renewal — one day after President Trump publicly demanded ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel be fired. ABC settled a defamation suit brought by Trump for $15 million in 2024.
The Founders built the First Amendment precisely so government could not use the licensing power — or any power — to bring a press to heel. The republic should be suspicious of any administration that discovers 'public interest' violations the week a comedian makes the wrong joke.