Disney CEO Bob Iger and Mouse House affiliate ABC reportedly over “eroding public trust” in news organizations following President-elect Donald Trump's nomination to head the Federal Communications Commission. He lashed out at the news.
Incoming FCC Chairman Brendan Carr sent a letter to Iger on Monday, 10 days after agreeing to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by Trump, saying, “Americans no longer expect the national news media to be complete, accurate, or accurate. “I don't trust fair reporting,” he said. On CNN,
Kerr went on to cite polling data and say, “ABC's own actions have certainly contributed to this decline in public trust. For example, ABC News recently reported that President Trump's Future Presidential Foundation and It agreed to pay the museum $15 million and an additional $1 million in legal fees to resolve the defamation lawsuit.
Kerr's scathing letter also suggested that the ABC was using coercive tactics in negotiations with its local affiliates.
“The fact that there is a huge gulf of trust between local news organizations and national program producers like ABC means that local broadcast television stations invest in local news operations and content that serves their communities. It only increases the importance of the retransmission consent revenue that is available,” Kerr said. I wrote in the letter. Obtained by CNN.
Kerr said local TV stations licensed by the FCC are more trusted than national networks, adding that he supports more local programming.
Kerr expressed “concerns” about how ABC enters into partnership agreements with local stations that broadcast ABC programming.
“My understanding is that the ABC is trying to extract significant financial and operational concessions from local broadcast television stations under threat of terminating long-standing partnerships. “Consumers may experience power outages and other damages,” Kerr wrote. .
He also accused Disney of prioritizing its global streaming service at the expense of locally freely accessible broadcasters. This is the strategy most major media companies are using to compete with streaming giant Netflix.
Carr concluded his letter ominously by saying he would “monitor the outcome” of the ABC talks and “continue to negotiate to ensure local television stations meet their federal obligations and respond to the needs of their communities.” Ta.
Representatives for ABC News, Disney and Trump did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Although television license renewals are rarely challenged and almost never denied, Trump said he was targeting ABC and other broadcasters. I wanted them to take away their license..
President Trump recently slammed CBS News with a $10 billion lawsuit, claiming his “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris was “deceptively” edited to help his Democratic opponent in the presidential race. Ta. CBS denied the allegations.
Mr. Trump also sued pollster Ann Selzer, her polling company, the Des Moines Register, and its parent company, Gannett, after Selzer published polls unfavorable to Mr. Trump before the election. The poll showed Harris leading by 3 points, but Trump ultimately won the state by 13 points.
The surprising settlement by Disney follows Mr. Trump's lawsuit against ABC and “This Week” anchor George Stephanopoulos, which found Mr. Trump “responsible for rape” on air but not in real life. said it was found responsible for sexual abuse in a civil suit brought by a journalist. E. Jean Carroll.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing.
