FCC Scrutiny Over ABC’s License Renewals and Partisan Allegations From MRC

Fox News reports a continued campaign by the Media Research Center (MRC) against Disney, urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) not to renew ABC’s licenses. The MRC describes ABC as a ‘partisan cable network’ unfit for broadcast license privileges. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced in April that eight ABC-owned stations must demonstrate their operations serve the public interest, amid a probe into Disney’s practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

David Bozell, President of MRC, asserts that broadcast licenses are a privilege and not an entitlement. He emphasizes that broadcasters must agree to serve the public interest to access public airwaves. Bozell argues that if ABC operates like a partisan network, it should forfeit broadcast benefits.

ABC stations under scrutiny include KFSN-TV in Fresno, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, KGO-TV in San Francisco, WLS-TV in Chicago, WABC-TV in New York, WTVD in Durham, North Carolina, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, and KTRK-TV in Houston. Originally set to renew their licenses between 2028 and 2031, Trump’s FCC advanced their review.

“ABC’s motives may be unethical, but it retains First Amendment rights,” states the MRC petition. “However, using public airwaves for such motives is unjustifiable without providing avenues via private spectrum usage.”

ABC launched counter advertisements in affected markets, urging public support to fend off perceived threats to their broadcast future. The ad campaign calls for public comments through the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System. Over 100,000 comments have rallied in support of ABC thus far.

The FCC is also examining ABC’s ‘The View’ regarding equal political candidate time regulation. This comes after Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico’s appearance on the show. ABC argues ‘The View’ is bona fide news exempt from equal time rules, which Bozell contests as a guise for partisan purposes.

Bozell’s letter to FCC division chief Maria Mullarkey criticizes ‘The View’ as politically motivated, opposing President Trump, Congressional Republicans, and promoting left priorities. Supporting his stance, MRC plans to submit substantial evidence portraying ‘The View’s’ bias.

ABC disputes the FCC’s scrutiny as a chilling impact on First Amendment rights, labeling the probe as misguided. They argue ‘The View’ once qualified as news, but its current operation caters politically.

Brian Flood, media editor and reporter for Fox News Digital, covers these developments. Story tips can be directed to [email protected] or via Twitter @briansflood.