ABC launches ad campaign against FCC review of The View’s news status
The Federal Communications Commission has opened a proceeding that could strip the long-running talk show of its classification as a bona fide news interview program, prompting ABC and owner Disney to condemn the move as political retaliation.
ABC has launched an advertising campaign urging viewers to submit comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opposing a proceeding that could strip The View of its classification as a bona fide news interview program. The broadcaster aired a commercial asking the public to tell the commission to "let the viewers decide" rather than allowing regulators to "control who is allowed on the show." The ad highlights the show’s nearly 30-year history, arguing that the FCC’s intervention threatens editorial independence.
The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, is reviewing whether the show qualifies for an exemption from the equal-time rule, which requires broadcasters to provide equal opportunities to opposing political candidates. The View has held this exemption since 2002, when it received a Declaratory Ruling from the FCC’s Mass Media Bureau confirming its status. ABC stated in a May filing that this ruling remains in full force and that there is no basis for the commission to overturn it after two decades of non-dispute.
Carr has departed from the FCC’s longstanding approach by opening the proceeding, which was triggered after the show aired an interview with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico. The chairman posted on X questioning whether The View qualifies as bona fide news under federal law, omitting mention of the show’s existing 2002 exemption. The FCC also issued a broad warning to all broadcast TV stations that late-night and daytime talk shows should not be used for "partisan political purposes."
In a separate action, the FCC has opened a review of ABC owner Disney’s broadcast station licenses, alleging violations of anti-discrimination rules regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. Disney’s eight broadcast stations protested the review, accusing the regulator of trying to suppress speech as part of an unprecedented attack on the company’s entire portfolio of licenses. ABC and Disney have condemned the actions as political retaliation and an attack on free speech.
The FCC responded to ABC’s advertising efforts by accusing Disney of running a "campaign of misinformation" and misleading viewers about the law regarding The View’s status. Carr reiterated his position on social media, asking the public if the show meets federal standards for news classification. The deadline for public comments on the FCC proceeding is July 6.
Bipartisan opposition to the FCC’s tactics has emerged, with US Senators Ted Cruz and Ron Wyden recently proposing legislation to stop federal officials from "jawboning" broadcasters or tech platforms into restricting speech. The proposed law aims to prevent government coercion of media entities, a move that aligns with ABC’s argument that the commission is using the license renewal process to punish a broadcaster for its editorial choices.
The FCC has not opened similar proceedings into the interview segments of talk radio shows, which are predominantly conservative, raising questions about the consistency of the regulator’s enforcement. While shows are not required to ask for exemptions from the equal-time rule, The View and others have historically sought them to avoid doubt. The current proceeding marks a significant shift in how the commission views the intersection of talk show content and political broadcasting regulations.
