ABC sues FCC over challenge to its broadcast licenses, saying actions present 'existential threat'
- ABC has filed a lawsuit against the FCC on First Amendment grounds, claiming the agency's demand for early review of its broadcast licenses poses an 'existential threat' to the network.
- The lawsuit requests a federal court to halt the early renewal proceedings initiated by the FCC, which ordered the review of all eight ABC-owned licenses years before their expiration.
- The FCC cited ABC's diversity and inclusion practices as a reason for the early review, following controversial remarks made by ABC's late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.
- ABC argues that the FCC's actions are part of a broader campaign against free speech that could have significant implications for media companies across the country.
- The sole Democrat on the FCC has praised ABC for challenging the agency's actions, describing them as a campaign of censorship and control.
ABC has taken legal action against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), arguing that the agency's demand for an early review of its broadcast licenses represents an 'existential threat' to the network. The lawsuit, filed on First Amendment grounds, seeks to prevent the FCC from proceeding with the early renewal process initiated in April, which is unusual and was prompted by the network's diversity and inclusion practices.
The FCC's chairman, Brendan Carr, an ally of President Donald Trump, ordered the early review shortly after controversial comments made by ABC's late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who has been critical of the administration. ABC alleges that this is part of a broader pattern of attacks on its speech and journalistic practices, claiming that the administration has escalated its demands for punitive actions against the network.
In the lawsuit, ABC emphasizes that the implications of the FCC's actions extend beyond its own licenses, warning that if the administration succeeds, it could send a chilling message to all media companies regarding the consequences of unfavorable reporting. The lawsuit also highlights the long-standing tensions between the press and the FCC, which have intensified under the current administration, according to legal experts.
The sole Democrat on the FCC, Anna Gomez, has publicly supported ABC's lawsuit, criticizing the FCC's actions as a campaign of censorship. She has encouraged other media companies to resist government pressure and intimidation, framing ABC's legal challenge as a courageous stand for free speech.
ABC起诉FCC，称其对广播许可证的挑战构成“生存威胁”
ABC已对联邦通信委员会（FCC）采取法律行动，认为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”。这起以第一修正案为依据的诉讼旨在阻止FCC继续进行在四月发起的提前续期程序，该程序不寻常，受到网络多样性和包容性做法的推动。
FCC主席布伦丹·卡尔（Brendan Carr）是唐纳德·特朗普总统的盟友，他在ABC的深夜主持人吉米·基梅尔发表争议性言论后，要求进行提前审查。ABC声称这是一系列对其言论和新闻实践攻击的更广泛模式，称政府已升级了对网络的惩罚性要求。
在诉讼中，ABC强调FCC行为的影响超出了自身的许可证，警告称如果政府成功，可能会向所有媒体公司发出关于不利报道后果的威慑性信息。诉讼还强调了媒体与FCC之间长期存在的紧张关系，这种关系在当前政府下有所加剧，法律专家表示。
FCC的唯一民主党成员安娜·戈麦斯（Anna Gomez）公开支持ABC的诉讼，批评FCC的行为是一场审查运动。她鼓励其他媒体公司抵制政府施加的压力和恐吓，将ABC的法律挑战视为对言论自由的勇敢捍卫。