The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced it is accelerating the review of eight local broadcasting licences held by ABC, following a White House attack on late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over a joke about Melania Trump.
The move forces ABC to file for renewal of stations in cities including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago by 28 May, years ahead of schedule. The FCC, led by Trump-appointed chair Brendan Carr, says the early renewal is necessary to investigate whether ABC has met its public interest obligations, and is linked to a separate probe into Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
In a memo, FCC official David J Brown stated that calling in the licences early allows the agency to conduct its ongoing investigation and ensure the broadcaster has been serving the public interest. Democratic FCC commissioner Anna M Gomez denounced the move as “unprecedented, unlawful and going nowhere”.
A Disney spokesperson said ABC stations have a strong record of compliance and will demonstrate their qualifications through legal channels. Carr has suggested that Disney’s DEI policies could raise character questions about the company.
