ABC has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on First Amendment grounds, claiming that the agency's demand for an early review of its broadcast licenses poses an existential threat to the network. The lawsuit, filed on August 18, 2026, by ABC, its parent company Disney, and eight ABC-owned stations, seeks to halt the early renewal proceedings initiated by the FCC in April. The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, cited the network's diversity and inclusion practices as a reason for the review, which comes years before the licenses are set to expire. ABC alleges that the actions of the administration represent a pattern of attacks on its speech and that the lawsuit is necessary to seek judicial redress against what they describe as retaliation for their First Amendment rights.
The lawsuit also highlights ongoing tensions between ABC and the FCC, particularly regarding the morning talk show "The View," which ABC argues should be exempt from equal-time rules due to its classification as a bona fide news program. ABC claims that the administration's actions could have broader implications for media companies, suggesting that it sends a message to the press about the potential consequences of reporting unfavorable stories. The lawsuit quotes Carr as suggesting that media companies could face repercussions if they do not comply with the administration's expectations.
Anna Gomez, the sole Democrat on the FCC, praised ABC and Disney for their legal action, describing the FCC's approach as a campaign of censorship. In response, Carr defended the FCC's actions, stating that broadcasters have a duty to operate in the public interest and that the agency is merely trying to uphold that standard. The FCC reiterated that all broadcasters, including Disney, have a legal obligation to serve the public interest.