FCC Seeks Dismissal of ABC Lawsuit Over License Probes

The Federal Communications Commission asked a federal court in Washington to dismiss a lawsuit filed by ABC and its parent company, The Walt Disney Company. The network sued the agency last month to block regulatory efforts that could lead to the revocation of local broadcasting licenses for eight stations, including those in New York and Los Angeles.

ABC alleges the agency is conducting a "retaliatory campaign" of "pretextual regulatory investigations" as punishment for programming criticized by the Trump administration. The network argues these actions abridge its free speech rights and follow a demand from President Donald Trump in April that ABC fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.

The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, contends the probes are valid efforts to eliminate potential discrimination and do not violate the First Amendment. The agency further asserts the lawsuit is premature because it has not yet moved to strip the licenses, claiming the early review was triggered by ABC's deficient response to an investigation into its diversity and inclusion practices.

Judge Loren L. AliKhan has scheduled a hearing for the week of October 5 to determine if the regulatory actions constitute legitimate oversight or unconstitutional retaliation.