ABC clashes with FCC in First Amendment battle over station licenses

ABC filed to renew its eight owned TV stations' licenses 'under protest' after the FCC ordered early renewals, arguing the move is unconstitutional retaliation aimed at punishing speech. The network says the order, tied to a broader push against Disney and related diversity investigations, uses regulatory power to suppress editorial content. FCC chair Brendan Carr cites ongoing probes into Disney's initiatives, while a Democratic commissioner counters that the actions threaten free speech. Legal experts expect a future court fight as ABC defends First Amendment rights.