‘A threat to the First Amendment’: ABC slams FCC for ‘extraordinary’ licensing change – as Disney-owned network calls it ‘a clear warning to all US broadcasters’

ABC asked to apply for early renewal of its broadcasting license
Disney-owned network says FCC is exerting excessive pressure
ABC shows such as Jimmy Kimmel live criticized the White House

A war of words has broken out between the Disney-owned ABC network and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States, after the FCC demanded that the network quickly file its broadcast license renewal applications.

When ? Well, the licenses don’t expire until 2028, and four months in advance is the usual schedule. In this case, the FCC requested them two years in advance, saying ABC’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies are under investigation.

ABC has now filed the necessary applications for eight of its local television stations, while calling the application a “threat to the First Amendment” (according to Deadline). According to ABC, moving forward with the renewal process is punishment for anti-government and anti-Trump views expressed on shows like Jimmy Kimmel live And The view.

“Power and coercion”

Disney and its ABC channels are the latest victims of this administration’s campaign of censorship and control. I’m glad to see them expose the FCC’s actions as nothing more than mere political retribution and an illegal attack on free speech and freedom of the press. https://t.co/XYmTQ27pTx May 28, 2026

“This is an extraordinary display of power and coercion directed against disadvantaged editorial voices that sends a clear warning to all U.S. broadcasters,” ABC said in a filing with the FCC as it submitted its renewals “under protest.”

As the renewals have now been submitted, this gives the FCC the right to comment on them publicly and designate them for a hearing if the regulator deems it necessary. As licenses can only be approved 30 days before they expire, this means ABC will come under closer scrutiny over the next two years.

“Disney and its ABC channels are the latest victims of this administration’s campaign of censorship and control,” said FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the FCC’s sole Democrat. “I’m happy to see them expose the FCC’s actions as nothing more than mere political retribution and an illegal attack on free speech and freedom of the press.”

However, the FCC defended its actions. “The Commission will continue to analyze ownership structures to ensure that they meet the needs of their local communities and provide diverse viewpoints reflecting the information needs of those communities,” the FCC said in a statement, rejecting that the decision constituted a denial of free speech.

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