The Federal Communications Commission moved Thursday to block a constitutional challenge filed by ABC against the agency, contending that the broadcaster has not demonstrated that an accelerated review of its television station licenses constitutes retaliation for protected speech. Disney-owned ABC initiated legal action last month, asserting that regulators were conducting an “extraordinary assault” on its First Amendment rights by expediting the renewal process for eight of its owned-and-operated stations.
The FCC maintains that its decision to advance the license review stems from an investigation into alleged unlawful employment discrimination practices at Disney and ABC, rather than any response to programming or on-air commentary. Agency officials have emphasized repeatedly that the action bears no connection to recent public statements regarding talk shows or comedy segments on the network.
The accelerated review came shortly after criticism of a joke made on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” which prompted a public response from a prominent political figure demanding the host’s termination. Since then, FCC leadership has raised additional concerns about ABC’s editorial decisions, including content related to political programming and compliance with equal-time regulations. The FCC argues that without establishing a direct link between the licensing proceeding and protected speech, ABC’s legal claim lacks sufficient grounds for success.
Originally reported by Variety →
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