A federal court in Washington, D.C. is set to hear a case between the Walt Disney Co. and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) over free speech protections. The case stems from President Donald Trump's repeated criticism of ABC's late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel and the network's show "The View". Trump has called for Kimmel to be fired and accused "The View" of being liberal and unfair.
The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, has moved to review Disney's ownership of its eight stations, years ahead of schedule. This move has been seen as a response to Trump's criticism of ABC's content. Mark Fowler, a former FCC chair under President Ronald Reagan, has filed a statement in support of Disney's lawsuit, likening Carr's actions to censorship.
Disney and ABC are seeking to prevent the FCC from accelerating the review process of its station licenses. The licenses are typically reviewed on a staggered basis and renewed without much fanfare. However, the FCC has cited the requirement for stations to serve the "public interest" and has initiated investigations into Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
Media advocates and FCC veterans have said that the move to challenge all of ABC's local licenses at once is unprecedented. If successful, it would hurt ABC's bottom line significantly, as six of the eight stations are in major media markets. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has filed a friend of the court brief on ABC's behalf.
The FCC has not yet taken any action against ABC's licenses, but has sped up their review. Carr has said that the agency is simply taking the "public interest" component of the law seriously. Conservative groups have filed briefs in support of the FCC, while several groups often affiliated with conservatives have weighed in against the Justice Department's case.
The case has also drawn attention from satirists and comedians. Jimmy Kimmel was recently suspended by ABC over remarks he made about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, but the suspension was soon lifted after a public outcry. Fellow satirists Seth Meyers and John Oliver have paid tribute to Kimmel during an episode of his show.
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press has pointed to a series of actions by Carr and other Trump appointees as evidence of a wider effort to intimidate the press. These actions include investigations into all broadcast networks and the cutting off of access for journalists at the White House and the Pentagon.
Key points
- The FCC's review of Disney's station licenses is seen as a response to President Trump's criticism of ABC's content.
- The case has drawn attention from satirists and comedians, including Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Meyers, and John Oliver.
- Media advocates and FCC veterans have said that the move to challenge all of ABC's local licenses at once is unprecedented.
