The Media Research Center (MRC) has intensified its campaign against Disney by urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) not to renew ABC’s licenses, asserting that ABC operates similar to a ‘partisan cable network’. In April, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr required eight ABC-owned stations to demonstrate they operate in the public interest as part of a review of Disney’s diversity and inclusion practices.
The MRC accused ABC of spreading misinformation, hindering genuine journalism, and advocating political violence in a petition to the FCC. MRC President David Bozell remarked, “Broadcast licenses are a privilege, not an entitlement. If ABC operates like a partisan cable network, it should forsake the privileges reserved for broadcast licensees.”
Originally, licenses for ABC’s affiliates were due for renewal between 2028 and 2031. However, Trump’s FCC expedited this process for stations, including KFSN-TV in Fresno, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, KGO-TV in San Francisco, WLS-TV in Chicago, WABC-TV in New York, WTVD in Durham, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, and KTRK-TV in Houston.
According to the 27-page petition reported by The New York Post, MRC reviewed nearly 50,000 hours of ABC programming over 38 years and conducted studies illustrating ABC’s alleged bias and partisan activism. ABC hosts both entertainment shows such as ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ and news programs like ‘Good Morning America’, ‘The View’, and ‘World News Tonight’.
Bozell, supported by MRC colleagues, highlighted examples of bias, specifically criticizing ABC’s handling of the 2024 presidential debate and ‘The View’s’ focus on liberal guests. The petition argued ABC possesses First Amendment rights but lacks entitlement to exploit public spectrum for expressing political views.
ABC launched a campaign in targeted markets, declaring, “The FCC is questioning our commitment and threatening to remove us from the air,” urging viewer support via public comments through the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System. Over 100,000 public comments have been registered in support of ABC.
The FCC is probing ‘The View’ amid concerns about equal time for political candidates after a Texas candidate appeared on the show. Disney’s ABC maintains ‘The View’ qualifies as genuine news, exempting it from the equal time rule. Bozell challenged this, arguing ‘The View’ serves partisan interests rather than providing news.
Bozell has been a significant figure in opposing Disney since taking control of the conservative watchdog last year, alleging ‘The View’ is driven by Democratic agendas. In a letter to FCC’s Maria Mullarkey, Bozell contended that ABC misrepresented ‘The View’ to circumvent equal opportunity rules.
ABC responded to the FCC probe, criticizing the agency’s approach as an undue impact on First Amendment rights. Bozell reiterated MRC’s stance, suggesting ‘The View’ operates as a Democratic entity rather than a legitimate interview program and pledged to supply evidence supporting this assertion.
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