FCC Pressured to Withhold ABC’s License Renewals Amid Accusations of Partisanship

The Media Research Center (MRC) is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) not to renew the broadcast licenses of ABC, labeling the network a ‘partisan cable network.’ This follows FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s initiative to assess eight ABC-owned stations on their adherence to public interest standards in line with Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

The MRC has petitioned the FCC, accusing ABC of being a political entity that propagates misinformation and disregards genuine journalism. The MRC argues that broadcast licenses, being a privilege and not an entitlement, should be forfeited if not operated in the public interest. MRC President David Bozell commented on the accountability the FCC holds against Disney and ABC, suggesting ABC should surrender its broadcast benefits if operating like a partisan network.

Originally, ABC’s licenses were set for renewal between 2028 and 2031, but the process was expedited under former President Trump’s FCC. This affects stations including KFSN-TV Fresno, KABC-TV Los Angeles, KGO-TV San Francisco, WLS-TV Chicago, WABC-TV New York, WTVD Durham, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, and KTRK-TV Houston.

MRC’s petition, highlighted first by The New York Post and Fox News Digital, claims ABC has demonstrated systemic bias and partisan behavior over several decades. ABC’s lineup includes non-news programs like ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ alongside news shows such as ‘Good Morning America,’ ‘The View,’ and ‘World News Tonight.’

The complaint from Bozell and MRC applies specific examples, including alleged bias in ABC’s 2024 presidential debate coverage and ‘The View’ frequently platforming guests with liberal viewpoints. Although ABC maintains First Amendment rights, MRC argues these should not extend to public spectrum use.

In defense, ABC has launched a campaign urging viewer support through public comments via the FCC’s online system. The campaign argues the FCC’s questioning of their commitment to viewers, suggesting potential removal from airing, which has garnered over 100,000 public comments in favor of ABC.

The FCC is also probing ABC’s ‘The View’ under scrutiny of ‘equal time’ regulations after Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico’s appearance. Disney’s ABC claims ‘The View’ qualifies as news, and thus exempt from equal time rules, a notion disputed by Bozell, asserting political bias and its operation for Democratic advocacy.

MRC plans to submit substantive evidence alleging partisan bias in support, detailing ‘The View’s’ deviation from authentic news interviews to partisan activity.

Brian Flood is a media editor/reporter for FOX News Digital. Tips can be sent via email at [email protected] or Twitter: @briansflood.