Disney Sues FCC Over Retaliatory License Renewal Process
The Walt Disney Company and ABC have filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), seeking to stop an early license renewal process that they claim is an attack on free speech by the Trump administration.
The FCC ordered Disney's eight owned-and-operated television stations to file their broadcast license renewals ahead of schedule in late April, citing a probe into ABC's 'The View' program and a long-running investigation into diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at Disney.
The licenses were not due for renewal until 2028 at the earliest. The move from the FCC came after President Donald Trump himself assailed ABC late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel for a joke about first lady Melania Trump.
Disney describes the FCC action as an 'existential threat' and is requesting that the D.C. District court stop the FCC from taking any action against Disney and ABC stations in relation to the early license renewal applications.