Disney and ABC Sue FCC Over Alleged Retaliation Against News Coverage
ABC and its parent company, The Walt Disney Co., have filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in federal court. They claim that the FCC has violated their First Amendment rights by launching investigations into their broadcast licenses in response to their news coverage and late-night satire.
The lawsuit alleges that the FCC's actions are retaliatory, aimed at appeasing President Trump, who has repeatedly called for ABC to be stripped of its licenses.
ABC cites Trump's own social media posts, which condemn the network's news coverage, as well as his criticism of late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel and daytime talk show The View.
The FCC forced eight local TV stations owned by Disney to undergo early scrutiny of their license renewal process, years ahead of schedule. This is an unprecedented move in the modern era.