All articles tagged with #equal time
The FCC is reportedly preparing to rule that ABC's The View is not a bona fide news program, which would trigger equal-time requirements for political interviews, while also escalating a separate review of Disney's broadcast licenses that could threaten major-market ABC stations; the rulings would mark a major regulatory shift, with Disney expected to challenge them and critics urging license denials.
ABC and Disney launched on-air and online campaigns urging viewers to support The View and eight ABC-owned stations after the FCC opened an equal-time inquiry into the show, arguing The View is bona fide news and exempt from timing rules. The FCC says it is reviewing whether these licenses serve the public interest amid a broader look at Disney’s practices, with campaigns encouraging public comments to the agency and support for license renewals.
Disney is urging The View and ABC viewers to submit public comments to the FCC as it fights an order to renew eight stations early; the company says filings were made “under protest” and is pushing viewers to weigh in via dockets, while regulators consider whether The View should be classified as bona fide news to dodge political equal-time rules.
ABC is airing on-air spots warning viewers about the FCC’s crackdown on The View and urging public comment, as the agency moves to force early license renewals for eight ABC stations. ABC says the actions threaten free speech and are unprecedented; the FCC says it’s enforcing existing rules. Viewers are directed to file comments by July 6 for The View proceeding and by July 29 for the station-licensing renewals, with nearly 2,500 comments already filed in the View matter.
The FCC, led by Chair Brendan Carr, opened a review of Disney-owned ABC's local TV licenses over the network's news programming, including 'The View,' as part of a broader Trump-era push to pressure outlets over coverage; ABC says the move threatens protected speech and notes the show has an exempt status for equal-time considerations, while experts say license pulls are rare and the probe could drag on for years.
ABC rebuked the FCC’s bid to apply the equal-time rule to talk-show interviews, saying it would chill First Amendment protections and limit political coverage ahead of the 2026 elections; the 52‑page filing seeks clarity on exemptions for outlets like The View amid a broader clash between Disney and the commission over licenses.
ABC has filed a petition with the FCC arguing that scrutinizing whether The View qualifies as a bona fide news program and the threat of applying the equal-time rule would chill First Amendment speech. The move comes amid ongoing disputes with Disney-ABC and follows an FCC action tied to a Feb. 2 appearance by a Texas candidate on The View, with supporters framing the challenge as a defense of free expression.
ABC, on behalf of Disney, told the FCC that its probe into The View’s compliance with the equal-time rule risks a chilling effect on First Amendment rights and targets a bona fide news program exempt from the rule; the FCC will consider whether The View qualifies for the exemption even as it reviews ABC’s licenses in a separate action.
Stephen Colbert claims CBS barred his planned interview with Texas state Rep. James Talarico to avoid triggering FCC equal-time rules; CBS says it followed legal guidance and offered options, with the clip eventually posted to YouTube, as Talarico campaigns for the U.S. Senate amid Texas early voting.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr is urging tougher enforcement of the equal-time rule to require broadcasters to give opposing candidates airtime, a move critics say could chill free speech and upend programming on TV and radio as audiences shift to digital platforms; experts call the rule antiquated and hard to enforce, while supporters say it would safeguard fairness across networks and affiliates, potentially affecting late-night hosts, daytime talk shows, and even flagship political coverage.