The Federal Communications Commission criticized Disney for seeking public backing while facing investigations related to ‘The View’ and ABC’s broadcast licenses. This marks a new development in Disney’s ongoing conflict with regulators.
Under Trump-appointed Chair Brendan Carr, the FCC began examining in February whether ‘The View’ breached equal-time regulations following an appearance by James Talarico, the Democratic candidate in November’s U.S. Senate race in Texas.
‘The View,’ airing since 1997, features a panel of female hosts who interview various politicians and celebrities. In an effort to garner audience support, ABC initiated a campaign on Monday, encouraging viewers to oppose what they consider threats to free speech. The campaign includes on-air spots urging the public to petition the FCC to ‘let the viewers decide’ what they wish to see on television.
“The View has welcomed your favorite guests and covered the issues you’ve cared about for nearly 30 years,” a voice-over says in one of the ads. “Now the FCC wants to control who is allowed to appear on the show. Viewers, use your voice. Scan this QR code. You have until July 6.”
An FCC spokesperson addressed ABC’s campaign by stating that Disney aims to have the FCC classify ‘The View’ as a ‘bona fide news program.’ The spokesperson criticized Disney for allegedly spreading misinformation among viewers regarding the legal situation.
‘The View’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comments on Monday.
FCC regulations exempt ‘bona fide’ news programs from equal-time requirements, which mandate broadcasters to offer equal opportunities to rival political candidates. Carr, on social media platform X, argued that classifying ‘The View’ as such a news program would exempt it from the political equal-time rules established by Congress years ago.
Carr posed the question, “What do you think? Is ‘The View’ bona fide news?”
In a filing to the FCC in May, ABC claimed ‘The View’ is covered by an exemption from the equal-time rule, which was granted over twenty years ago. This filing was on behalf of KTRK-TV, ABC’s owned station in Houston, and ABC’s legal representatives stated the station was instructed to formally request whether ‘The View’ qualifies for this exemption. ABC maintained that the classification of ‘The View’ as a bona fide news show has never been contested.
Dismissing criticisms against viewpoints expressed on ‘The View’ or similar platforms, ABC argued that disapproval does not warrant regulatory actions to limit those perspectives.
Previously, the FCC ordered Disney’s eight owned-and-operated TV stations to submit their broadcast license renewals earlier than usual following a dispute involving a joke by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel about First Lady Melania Trump. Carr clarified that the ABC license review was linked to the FCC’s examination of Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, rather than ‘speech’ issues.