A new ABC campaign urges viewers to push back against FCC pressure
ABC viewers across the country are getting a message from the network: If you like your local stations, or “The View,” help us get the government off our back.
ABC on Monday launched an on-air campaign asking viewers to send comments to the Federal Communications Commission’s website pushing back on the agency and its chairman, Brendan Carr.
Since February, the FCC has been investigating whether ABC’s “The View” violated the commission’s equal-time rule, which guarantees equal airtime to all candidates running for the same public office. ABC has maintained that “The View” qualifies as what the commission calls a “bona fide” news program and is exempt from the rule, accusing the FCC of violating the First Amendment in a legal filing.
In April, the FCC also ordered an early review of ABC’s eight local stations over its diversity, equity and inclusion practices. The review was announced just days after President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump intensely criticized ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, though the FCC maintained that the timing was purely coincidental.
Intensifying its response, ABC began airing two television spots directing viewers to submit public comments on the FCC’s website.
“The View has hosted your favorite guests and covered the issues you care about for nearly 30 years,” one commercial reads. “Now the FCC wants to control who is allowed to appear on the show. Viewers, use your voice. Scan this QR code. You have until July 6.”
The other announcement, airing in various local markets, says, “Now, the FCC is questioning our commitment to the community,” and asks viewers to show their support by chiming in online.
“Disney wants the FCC to classify ‘The View’ as a ‘bona fide news program.’ And it has chosen to run a campaign of misinformation to make its case – misleading viewers about the law,” a spokesperson for the FCC said in a statement. “That is a choice.”
Since assuming the chairmanship last year, Carr has emerged as Trump’s muscle against the broadcast media industry. He has cracked down on DEI, played a significant role in Skydance’s takeover of CBS parent Paramount last year, and launched investigations into numerous media companies.
He has vociferously criticized Disney-owned ABC and Kimmel, particularly after the comedian made controversial comments in the wake of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk’s death. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr told a conservative podcast host last year. “These companies can find ways to change conduct and take actions on Kimmel, or there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”
That comment drew blowback from the Republican Party. Sen. Ted Cruz called Carr’s line “dangerous as hell” and said it was reminiscent of a cinema mob boss.
“That’s right out of a mafioso coming into a bar,” Cruz (Texas) said. “‘God, nice bar you have here. It’d be a shame if something happened to it.’”
Read more Staggering amounts of fentanyl hit streets as the DEA watched and took no action, records show
Post Comment