Key facts
- ABC is launching an on-air campaign to garner viewer support in its disputes with the U.S. government.
- The FCC is investigating ABC's talk show 'The View' for potential violations of federal equal airtime rules.
- ABC argues the FCC's investigation infringes on its First Amendment rights and constitutes viewpoint discrimination.
- The FCC ordered ABC to undergo an early license review for its eight television stations.
- The scrutiny of 'The View' was reportedly triggered by the appearance of Texas Senate candidate James Talarico.
ABC is challenging the Federal Communications Commission's investigation into its talk show 'The View,' asserting that the agency's scrutiny violates the network's First Amendment rights. The FCC is examining whether 'The View' qualifies as a bona fide news program, a designation that exempts it from strict equal airtime rules for political candidates. If the show is deemed not to be a news program, ABC could be compelled to offer equal airtime to every political candidate who requests it, a requirement ABC argues would 'chill critical protected speech.'
The FCC's inquiry into 'The View' is part of a broader review that could affect ABC's ownership of local television stations and comes amid a period of heightened scrutiny of media outlets. The network contends that the FCC's actions exhibit viewpoint discrimination and retaliatory targeting, particularly noting that other media outlets with politically leaning shows have not faced similar demands. The current dispute was reportedly triggered by the February 2 appearance of Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, which ABC stated was included for newsworthiness and audience interest, not to advance his candidacy.
'The View,' created by Barbara Walters 29 years ago, maintains a significant audience of approximately 2.7 million daily viewers and is considered by many to still hold considerable political influence. The show's panel has historically included a conservative voice to balance its progressive hosts, and it has a complex history with Donald Trump, who was a frequent guest before entering politics and subsequently clashing with hosts like Whoopi Goldberg. The current Republican hosts, Alyssa Farah Griffin and Ana Navarro, are noted critics of Trump.