Key facts
- Former FCC officials have warned against the FCC's early review of ABC license renewals.
- The FCC is considering petitions to deny license renewals for eight ABC local television stations.
- Former officials argue the FCC's actions are an unprecedented and unconstitutional attempt to regulate speech content.
- Conservative groups submitted petitions alleging liberal bias and discrimination by ABC.
- The coalition includes former FCC Chairs and high-ranking legal staff appointed by various administrations.
A coalition of former Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officials has warned that the agency's review of ABC license renewals sends a "chilling message" to broadcasters. The FCC initiated an early renewal proceeding for eight of ABC's local television stations following criticism of the network by Donald Trump and Melania Trump, and petitions filed by conservative groups like the Media Research Center and the Center for American Rights.
The former officials, including past FCC Chairs Mark S Fowler, Alfred C Sikes, and Thomas E Wheeler, argued in a filing that the FCC's actions are unprecedented and violate the Communications Act and the Constitution. They contend that the proceeding represents an attempt by Chairman Brendan Carr and the Trump administration to censor speech and punish licensees whose content is disliked by the President.
The petitions from the conservative organizations accuse ABC of liberal bias, ignoring commission precedents, and engaging in racial and gender discrimination. The coalition of former officials asserts that the FCC should deny these petitions, as they ask the commission to regulate content and viewpoints, which they deem an unconstitutional expansion of its role.