ABC sues FCC over challenge to its broadcast licenses, saying actions present 'existential threat'
- ABC has filed a lawsuit against the FCC, claiming that the agency's demand for early review of its broadcast licenses poses an 'existential threat.'
- The lawsuit was filed in response to the FCC's order for an early review of all eight licenses owned by ABC, which are typically renewed every eight years.
- ABC argues that the FCC's actions are a form of retaliation for the network's critical coverage of the Trump administration.
- The lawsuit also highlights broader implications for media freedom, stating that the administration's actions could threaten free speech across the industry.
ABC has taken the rare step of suing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on First Amendment grounds, claiming that the agency's demand for an early review of its broadcast licenses poses an 'existential threat' to the network. The lawsuit, filed by ABC and its parent company Disney, seeks to halt the early renewal proceedings initiated by the FCC.
The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, ordered the early review of ABC's licenses in April, citing the network's diversity and inclusion practices as a reason. This move followed a controversial joke made by ABC's late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, which angered President Trump, who has publicly criticized the network.
In its lawsuit, ABC alleges that the administration has repeatedly attacked its journalistic speech and that the FCC's actions represent a direct threat to the freedom of the press. The network argues that it has no alternative means to address these threats other than seeking judicial relief.
The lawsuit also suggests that the implications of the administration's campaign against free speech extend beyond ABC, warning that such actions could send a chilling message to all media companies about the consequences of unfavorable coverage.
ABC起诉FCC，称其对广播许可证的挑战构成“生存威胁”
ABC采取了罕见的步骤，基于第一修正案起诉联邦通信委员会（FCC），声称该机构要求提前审查其广播许可证构成对网络的“生存威胁”。该诉讼由ABC及其母公司迪士尼提起，旨在停止FCC启动的提前续期程序。
FCC在主席布伦丹·卡尔的领导下，于四月下达了对ABC许可证的提前审查命令，理由是网络的多样性和包容性做法。此举是在ABC的深夜主持人吉米·基梅尔发表了一则引发特朗普总统愤怒的笑话之后，特朗普曾公开批评该网络。
在诉讼中，ABC声称，政府一再攻击其新闻言论，FCC的行为直接威胁到新闻自由。该网络辩称，除了寻求司法救济外，没有其他手段可以解决这些威胁。
诉讼还表明，政府对言论自由的攻击影响不仅限于ABC，警告称此类行为可能向所有媒体公司发出不利报道的后果的威胁。