Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Ariana Baio

FCC commissioner is happy ABC is suing agency: ‘Glad Disney has shown courage’

  • Disney -owned ABC filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday to block early broadcast license reviews, alleging an illegal censorship campaign by the Trump administration.
  • Anna Gomez, a commissioner on the FCC , said in a statement she was “glad Disney has shown courage and stepped up” to challenge President Donald Trump’s attempts to exert more control over broadcasts by threatening to revoke licenses.
  • “It is time this administration understands that the Constitution does not bend to political convenience, and that the First Amendment protects the news and commentary Americans see on their screens even when those in power wish it didn’t,” Gomez wrote.
  • The FCC ordered eight Disney-owned television stations to submit broadcast license renewal applications two years ahead of schedule following persistent criticism from President Donald Trump .
  • The lawsuit cites several retaliatory actions, including federal probes into Disney's diversity initiatives as well as targeting of programs like The View and Jimmy Kimmel Live! Disney is seeking an injunction from a Washington, D.C. federal court to prevent the FCC from taking or threatening further regulatory action against its ABC stations.

IN FULL

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.