On May 28, Reuters and the Associated Press reported that ABC's parent company, Walt Disney, submitted license renewal applications for eight ABC-owned stations in major markets including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Disney characterized this submission as a response to an FCC demand rather than a voluntary action, and included a letter of protest with the application.
The key issue at hand is the timing of the review. The license renewals for these stations were not originally scheduled for consideration until before October 2028. However, the FCC requested early renewal applications from ABC stations in April. Reuters noted that this early review of major TV broadcasters is unprecedented in over 50 years.
ABC has argued that this action represents an editorial pressure disguised as an administrative procedure. In its letter, Disney criticized the FCC's request as 'illegal, arbitrary, and unconstitutional,' asserting that it constitutes 'expression suppression under the guise of bureaucratic procedure.'
The FCC, however, maintains that the review is necessary to fulfill public interest obligations. Brendan Carr, an FCC commissioner, stated, 'ABC has not adequately and appropriately responded to inquiries regarding diversity.' He emphasized that license holders have a duty to operate in the public interest given their use of public airwaves.
Concerns about political retaliation have also emerged. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized ABC, its host Jimmy Kimmel, and certain news programs. Reuters reported that the FCC's request for early review came the day after Trump urged for Kimmel's dismissal.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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