Disney Sues Trump's FCC

Disney and ABC say the FCC's license moves violate free speech and threaten the network.

•Balanced

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ABC says FCC waging a retaliatory campaign violating free speech rights

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Disney and ABC sued the Federal Communications Commission and Chair Brendan Carr in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, seeking to block an early license-renewal process for ABC’s eight owned-and-operated TV stations. The complaint says the Trump administration retaliated against ABC over its broadcasts, including news coverage, late-night satire and “The View,” violating the First Amendment. The FCC ordered the stations in late April to file renewal applications ahead of schedule. ABC also moved for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction while the case proceeds.

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Trump-FCC censorshipLeft & Center

Trump and his allies at the FCC are using government power to pressure, punish, or silence ABC over coverage and programming they dislike. Disney and ABC’s lawsuit is a justified First Amendment challenge to that retaliatory campaign against the network.