ABC Claims in FCC Lawsuit It Was Pressured Into Changing Network Content

Screenshot via ABC

Pressure from the federal government had a significant impact on programming and guest booking at ABC, the network claimed in its lawsuit against the FCC.

ABC filed a First Amendment lawsuit against the agency Tuesday for an alleged “retaliatory campaign” against the network.

In the lawsuit, ABC claimed the FCC was going after the network solely because “it disapproves of what ABC broadcasts.”

ABC also claimed in the lawsuit that pressure from the FCC has already had an effect on what the network airs. A report from CNN’s Brian Stelter read:

Disney says in the lawsuit that the FCC pressure has already influenced what airs on “The View.”

The show has become “more circumspect in booking political candidates,” with no candidate appearing since early February, the suit notes.

ABC also says it’s “chosen not to air clips” of candidates it otherwise would have used because those clips could be cited against them in the FCC review.

ABC’s on-air personalities have repeatedly gone after President Donald Trump and his associates since the start of his second term.

Late night host Jimmy Kimmel was famously suspended for comments he made about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, sparking a media frenzy before his eventual return.

The left-leaning co-hosts of The View routinely criticize the actions of the Trump administration, as well.

Earlier this year, the FCC launched in investigation into The View over potential violations of the agency’s equal time rules for political candidates. In response to that pressure, The View began a June episode with an appeal to its audience. The message read:

“The View” has welcomed your favorite guests and covered the issues you care about for nearly 30 years. Now, the FCC wants to control who is allowed to appear on the show. Viewers, use your voice.

Trump called for ABC to lose its license as recently as July, when the network was one of several which refused to air his widely criticized election fraud address to the nation.

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