ABC Challenges FCC Over ‘The View’ Equal Time Rules

ABC is actively contesting federal regulators’ attempts to revisit the classification of its popular talk show, “The View,” under equal time regulations. The network has accused the Trump administration of attempting to suppress free speech amid the ongoing disagreement. In a recent filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), made public on Tuesday, ABC argued that the matter was resolved by the commission more than two decades prior. The filing includes reply comments supporting ABC’s request for a declaratory ruling that “The View” is a bona fide news program, making it exempt from equal time rules.

“The View,” which blends entertainment and political interviews and often includes commentary critical of former President Donald Trump, previously received a 2002 FCC ruling affirming its status as a legitimate news show. This classification exempts it from rules that mandate equal airtime for competing political candidates. In May, ABC similarly alleged that the Trump administration sought to stifle its protected free speech by reconsidering the program’s classification.

The Broader Implications of the Dispute

The contention over “The View” represents a wider conflict involving media organizations and the Trump administration concerning free speech and press freedom. Trump frequently criticized media entities opposing his policies. Brendan Carr, Trump’s FCC chairman, indicated his intention to argue against qualifying “The View” as a bona fide news program. This issue could potentially affect other programs mixing entertainment and politics.

Following the May filing, the FCC initiated a public comment period as part of the review process. ABC noted in its latest filing that the public submitted over 77,000 comments, with a clear majority supporting “The View” and free speech. ABC stated, “The First Amendment does not permit the government to sit in an editor’s chair. Yet that is the seat the Commission now proposes to take … deciding which broadcast programs qualify as legitimate news and, for those it finds wanting, compelling them to surrender their airtime to guests they never chose to feature.”

Editorial Judgment and Political Climate

ABC emphasized that the essential elements of “The View” have remained unchanged legally since the previous commission’s decision. They argued that the current political atmosphere, rather than the program itself, has shifted. ABC accused Carr’s FCC of focusing on shows seen as unfriendly to the administration and neglecting talk radio, where political candidates often appear alongside favorable hosts without their opponents.

The network called this approach “not evenhanded regulation.”

FCC’s Response to ABC’s Assertions

An FCC spokesperson suggested ABC is misleading the public, stating, “While ABC insists that ‘The View’ is a ‘bona fide news program’ under the law, ABC should focus on complying with its public interest obligations, rather than misleading the public about them.”

The administration’s critique of “The View” mirrors its dissatisfaction with late-night hosts critical of Trump, especially ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel. Both Donald and Melania Trump recently requested ABC to dismiss Kimmel over a joke regarding the first lady. Kimmel described the joke as a humorous take on the age difference between the couple.

Jocelyn Noveck covers media and entertainment for The Associated Press.