ABC mobilises public support as FCC scrutiny intensifies amid White House pressure

Disney-owned ABC has initiated an on-air campaign urging viewers to support its local stations during a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) public comment period concluding on 29 July. The move follows intensified criticism from US President Donald Trump, who has alleged bias and threatened lawsuits over the network’s coverage, including reports on vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The FCC previously ordered ABC to file early licence renewals for eight local stations, a move critics and dissenting FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez describe as a weaponisation of regulatory authority to appease the president. ABC has argued these actions violate its First Amendment rights, while press freedom advocates applaud the network’s resistance.

The campaign involves local stations across major markets, including New York’s WABC, Houston’s KTRK, and outlets in San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles. These stations have encouraged viewers to voice concerns regarding the regulatory pressure. The FCC ordered the early licence renewals in April, a departure from the standard five-year review cycle for many of the affected stations. The commission utilises licence renewals to assess whether stations have served the public interest, a process ABC contends is being manipulated for political ends.

President Trump has escalated his criticism of the network, utilising his social media platform to attack ABC News’ reporting on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. He alleged that the network failed to report on vandalism and referenced a previous defamation settlement, stating he “likes their money.” The President has also suggested he is preparing further legal action over the network’s coverage. ABC’s coverage had noted that the President provided no evidence to support claims of vandalism, a point highlighted by ABC News Chief Political Correspondent Jonathan Karl.

Regulatory dissent within the FCC has been vocal. Commissioner Anna Gomez wrote to Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro in May, warning against the “weaponization of the FCC’s authority.” She argued that using local station licences as leverage against a parent company constitutes a dangerous misapplication of regulatory power. Gomez also highlighted selective enforcement, noting that other broadcasters in the same markets aired interviews with political candidates without facing similar scrutiny or investigation.

ABC has formally argued that the administration’s actions infringe upon its First Amendment rights. Seth Stern, director of advocacy for the Freedom of the Press Foundation, supported the network’s stance, stating that capitulation invites further attacks. The regulatory pressure coincides with broader investigations, including an inquiry into Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and a probe into ABC’s daytime talk show The View. FCC Chairman Brenden Carr has previously warned that the commission could revoke broadcast licences if operators fail to act in the public interest or engage in illegal discrimination.