Disney Sues FCC Over Alleged Retaliation Against ABC
The Walt Disney Company has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), alleging the agency retaliated against ABC in violation of its First Amendment rights.
The complaint centers on the FCC's decision to require Disney's eight ABC-owned broadcast stations to seek early renewal of their broadcast licenses, years before they were scheduled to expire. This move comes after President Donald Trump called for late-night host Jimmy Kimmel's firing in April 2026.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr defended the agency's actions, stating that broadcasters have a duty to 'operate in the public interest' and that the FCC is trying to restore this standard. He also expressed his desire for the country to have a 'trusted, respected news media.'