Key facts
- ABC argues the FCC's investigation into 'The View' infringes on its First Amendment rights.
- The network cited a 2002 FCC ruling that deemed 'The View' a 'bona fide news program'.
- The FCC has opened a public comment period regarding 'The View's' classification.
- The investigation began after the show featured a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate.
- ABC suggests the FCC's scrutiny may be a form of viewpoint discrimination.
ABC is pushing back against the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) investigation into whether its talk show 'The View' qualifies as a bona fide news program. The network argues that the FCC's actions, initiated by Chairman Brendan Carr, chill its First Amendment rights. ABC's filing highlights a 2002 FCC ruling that classified 'The View' as a news program, exempting it from the agency's equal time rule, which requires broadcasters to offer comparable airtime to political rivals.
The investigation was prompted by 'The View' featuring James Talarico, a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate. ABC contends that singling out 'The View' while not applying similar scrutiny to conservative radio talk shows constitutes viewpoint discrimination. The FCC has opened a public comment period on the matter, with filings due by June 22 and replies by July 6. ABC has suggested that any further litigation would likely follow the FCC's final ruling.