Story perspectives

FCC Orders Early ABC License Renewals Amid DEI Probe

4/29/2026

Summary

FCC Targets ABC

FCC ordered Disney’s ABC stations in eight markets—including Fresno, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, North Carolina, Philadelphia and Houston—to file early license renewals by May 28 2026.
FCC tied the review to a DEI probe.
Chairman Brendan Carr warned violations would trigger revocation.
Democratic commissioner Anna Gomez called the action unprecedented and unlawful.
President Donald Trump called for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel after a joke about First Lady Melania Trump.

Summary

Carr Threatens Review

FCC chair Brendan Carr has threatened to use the “News Distortion” policy against broadcasters.
Former FCC chairs and the Radio Television Digital News Association have petitioned the D.C. Court of Appeals to block the review.
First Amendment advocate Jameel Jaffer argues the FCC lacks authority to punish stations for political speech.

History

Historical Context

Congress created the Fairness Doctrine in 1949, and the Supreme Court’s 5-4 1978 Pacifica decision and the 1973 Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. FCC ruling affirmed the FCC’s power to require balanced political coverage. After the doctrine’s 1987 repeal, Chair Brendan Carr’s recent “news-distortion” warning to ABC revives those historic fairness battles.

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FCC Targets ABC

FCC ordered Disney’s ABC stations in eight markets—including Fresno, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, North Carolina, Philadelphia and Houston—to file early license renewals by May 28 2026.
FCC tied the review to a DEI probe.
Chairman Brendan Carr warned violations would trigger revocation.
Democratic commissioner Anna Gomez called the action unprecedented and unlawful.
President Donald Trump called for ABC to fire Jimmy Kimmel after a joke about First Lady Melania Trump.

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