ABC has launched an on-air campaign urging viewers to support ‘The View’ and eight Disney-owned ABC affiliates in their battle with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC launched an investigation into ABC’s ‘The View’ earlier this year, citing the agency’s crackdown on equal time for political candidates.
FCC Investigation
The investigation was sparked by the appearance of Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico on the daytime talk show. Disney’s ABC believes ‘The View’ is a bona fide news program and, therefore, exempt from the equal time rule.
ABC’s new campaign features a petition to declare that ‘The View’ indeed qualifies as a bona fide news interview program. A commercial debuted during the program, stating, ‘The View has welcomed your favorite guests for nearly 30 years. Now the FCC wants to control who is allowed to appear on the show. Tell the FCC to let the viewers decide. You have until July 6th.’
License Renewals
The campaign also encourages ABC News viewers to support early broadcast license renewals for eight ABC-owned stations. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said that these stations must prove they have been operating in the public interest as part of an ongoing look at Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
ABC launched ads in these markets, declaring, ‘The FCC is questioning our commitment to viewers by threatening to take us off the air,’ and urged viewers to speak up and help. ABC wants viewers to offer public comment through the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System online and enter the corresponding docket number along with their submission.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
