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NAB Criticizes FCC for Ordering Early Renewal of ABC-Owned Stations
Curtis LeGeyt said the FCC’s early call-in of eight ABC station licenses creates uncertainty and could destabilize broadcast regulation.
- On Wednesday, the National Association of Broadcasters issued a rare rebuke of the Federal Communications Commission after the agency ordered Disney to seek early renewal of its eight ABC-owned station licenses by May 28.
- President Donald Trump's public calls to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel prompted the scrutiny, following a joke Kimmel made about First Lady Melania Trump before a shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner last week.
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr claimed the review stems from an investigation into Disney's diversity, equity and inclusiveness programs, though NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt warned the departure from traditional enforcement "creates significant uncertainty for all broadcasters."
- Disney confirmed receiving the order and expressed confidence in its licensing qualifications under the Communications Act, while Sen. Ted Cruz argued the FCC should not act as the "speech police."
- The FCC is currently considering rule changes regarding station consolidation, and legal experts note the agency's timing suggests the DEI investigation is a "fig leaf" for political retaliation against media outlets.
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NAB criticizes FCC for calling in ABC television licenses early
The local TV studio of ABC-owned KGO-TV in San Francisco. (Photo by Matthew Keys for The Desk) The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has issued a rare rebuke of the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC), saying the agency’s decision to call in the broadcast licenses of ABC-owned television stations has the potential to establish a precedent that could create instability in the industry. In a statement released v…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Left
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
57% Left
L 57%
C 29%
14%
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