Disney and ABC challenge FCC over accelerated license review

The Walt Disney Co. and its ABC network are set to clash with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in a federal court in Washington, D.C., over First Amendment protections during Donald Trump's presidency. The dispute centers on Trump's repeated calls for ABC to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel and his criticisms of ABC's The View, which he accuses of liberal bias. The FCC, led by Trump-appointed chair Brendan Carr, is accelerating the review of Disney's ownership of eight ABC stations, a move Disney's new CEO Josh D'Amaro has challenged in court.

Disney and ABC are seeking a court order to halt the FCC's accelerated review process, arguing that Carr's actions are unconstitutional. Mark Fowler, a former Republican FCC chair, has filed a statement supporting ABC's lawsuit, comparing Carr's actions to censorship. The FCC's review of Disney's station licenses, typically conducted on a staggered basis, is now being scrutinized for potential bias against ABC's content.

Media advocates and legal observers describe the FCC's move to challenge all ABC's local licenses at once as unprecedented. If successful, it could significantly impact ABC's revenue, as six of the eight stations are in major media markets. Conservative groups have filed briefs supporting the FCC, while other conservative-affiliated organizations, such as the Cato Institute, have opposed the Justice Department's case, noting Carr's public condemnation of ABC's content.

The court hearing will also address whether ABC and Disney have the legal standing to sue. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has filed a friend-of-the-court brief on ABC's behalf, highlighting broader efforts by the Trump administration to intimidate the press. The FCC has launched investigations into other broadcast networks, and the administration has restricted journalist access to government agencies, further escalating tensions between the media and the Trump administration.