Conservative media critics are claiming that ABC exhibits partisan bias and are urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deny the renewal of ABC’s broadcasting license, leaving significant television rights uncertain.
A document obtained recently highlights allegations from the Media Research Center (MRC) against ABC, saying the network is engaged in biased campaigning, neglecting crucial issues, endorsing political violence, and spreading false information.
MRC Chairman David Bozell expressed optimism, stating that the current FCC is poised to hold Disney and ABC accountable. “Broadcast licenses are privileges, not rights,” he noted, emphasizing that broadcasters must serve the public interest in return for using public airwaves.
Bozell further argued that if ABC wishes to act like a partisan cable network, it should forfeit the benefits that come with being a broadcast licensee. He insisted no entity is above the law, hence the need for ABC’s license to face renewal challenges.
The FCC is currently assessing eight broadcast licenses owned by Disney, including prominent ABC channels in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. This review was prompted after Disney initiated the renewal process prematurely, following Chairman Brendan Carr’s lack of cooperation with an investigation into Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
An FCC representative told sources that broadcast licenses are not immune to scrutiny. They clarified that during license renewal, the FCC must ascertain whether the station serves the public interest.
ABC has criticized this early review as a “disguised bureaucratic process” aimed at suppressing speech without any legitimate purpose. In response, the network is rallying its viewers to back the renewal of its broadcast license, encouraging them to sign a petition categorizing “The View” as a news interview program amid ongoing FCC investigations into daytime talk shows.
The MRC’s petition claims that throughout the 2024 presidential campaign, ABC has favored the Democratic Party, providing mostly negative coverage of Donald Trump while portraying former Vice President Kamala Harris in a positive light.
The group also pointed out that many guests on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” lean politically left. The filing mentions that certain hosts of “The View” have avoided interviewing Republicans, including Trump, while showcasing Democrats like former President Joe Biden.
The MRC accused ABC of “press control,” alleging that the network has downplayed significant stories, such as a report on Hunter Biden’s laptop. They took issue with comments made by Kimmel regarding political violence, particularly in relation to an assassination attempt on Charlie Kirk, where Kimmel’s remarks raised eyebrows.
In the backdrop of rising tensions between Trump and Kimmel, the FCC’s review began. This scrutiny was ignited after Kimmel made a controversial joke about Melania Trump amid two assassination attempts on the president, which prompted Trump to call for Kimmel’s dismissal.
The MRC also flagged inaccuracies in ABC’s reporting, citing anchor George Stephanopoulos’ claim linking Trump to the rape allegations made by E. Jean Carroll. Notably, the network previously settled a defamation lawsuit with Trump for $16 million, where he was found responsible for sexual abuse and defamation, but not rape.
Additionally, the MRC criticized ABC for a 17-minute interview with Jussie Smollett, who falsely claimed he was attacked by individuals wearing MAGA hats, while the network offered just 22 seconds of coverage once Smollett’s story collapsed.
As of now, ABC has not responded to requests for comments.
