FCC Opens Equal-Time Probe Into ABC's The View After James Talarico Interview
FCC is reviewing whether ABC failed to file equal-time paperwork after James Talarico's appearance, an agency source said.
Overview
The Federal Communications Commission opened an investigation into ABC's daytime talk show The View over potential violations of the statutory equal opportunities requirement after Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico's appearance, an agency source said.
The probe follows the agency's recent guidance that extends the statutory equal opportunities requirement to late-night and daytime talk shows, narrowing the long-standing bona fide news exemption, agency officials said.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement he would enforce the regulation—"On my watch, we're going to enforce this regulation"—while FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez called the move "government intimidation" in a separate statement, illustrating internal dispute.
A Media Research Center study found The View hosted 128 liberal guests and two conservatives for political discussions through mid-2025, the study showed.
The FCC encouraged stations and programs to promptly file petitions for declaratory rulings seeking a bona fide news exemption, and Disney and ABC declined to comment as the inquiry and potential compliance steps remain pending, officials said.
Analysis
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Sources (5)
FAQ
The equal opportunities requirement mandates that broadcast stations provide legally qualified candidates for public office equal airtime on the same program if one candidate appears, with limited exemptions for bona fide news.
The probe was triggered by Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico's appearance on The View without ABC filing equal-time paperwork, following FCC guidance that daytime talk shows do not qualify for the bona fide news exemption.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated he would enforce the equal opportunities regulation, criticizing legacy networks for assuming late-night and daytime talk shows qualify as bona fide news despite partisan motives.
Commissioner Anna Gomez called the FCC's move government intimidation, urging networks to stand against unfounded attacks and citing First Amendment protections for programs to cover newsworthy issues.
A Media Research Center study found The View hosted 128 liberal guests and only two conservatives for political discussions through mid-2025.
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