Disney filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission, alleging a violation of its First Amendment rights.
The suit comes after FCC Chairman Brendan Carr recently defended the agency’s actions against ABC, saying broadcasters have a duty to “operate in the public interest” and the FCC is merely trying to restore that standard.
Carr has said the country should have a “trusted, respected news media, and we’re not there.”
ABC had accused the agency of trying to chill its constitutionally protected free speech — and by extension, that of every media outlet in the country.
The network’s July comments came in its latest filing to the agency, expressing its formal opposition to the FCC’s early review, launched in April, of eight ABC local broadcast licenses well before they expire.
When the FCC launched its early review of ABC’s licenses in April, it came amid a fight with Jimmy Kimmel over a joke that offended President Donald Trump. The agency cited diversity, equity and inclusion practices at the company.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, while an ABC affiliate, is in no way involved or impacted by the litigation.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
