ABC News says FCC is carrying out intimidation campaign to shape coverage
Summary
ABC News has accused the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of using the threat of cancelling broadcast licenses to intimidate media outlets critical of President Donald Trump. The FCC announced an early review of eight ABC stations' licenses, which ABC says is a warning to other media companies to avoid coverage unfavorable to the Trump administration.Key Facts
- ABC filed a court document accusing the FCC of trying to shape news coverage by threatening to cancel broadcast licenses.
- The FCC started an early license review of eight ABC stations, an action not taken in over 50 years.
- ABC’s licenses were not due for renewal until October 2028, but the FCC moved up the review.
- The FCC said the review was due to an investigation into whether ABC’s diversity policies were discriminatory.
- President Trump has publicly called for revoking licenses of news outlets that criticize him or his allies.
- Trump filed lawsuits against BBC, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal for billions of dollars over their coverage.
- The Department of Justice recently dropped subpoenas requiring New York Times journalists to testify about reporting on Air Force One.
- Supporters of free press warn that such government actions can threaten the free speech protections in the U.S. Constitution.
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