ABC Launches On-Air Campaign Against FCC Investigations

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: msn/WSJ

1h


ABC is taking its fight with the government to its own airwaves. The Disney-owned broadcast network launched an on-air campaign Monday urging viewers to weigh in against the Federal Communications Commission’s early review of its broadcast licenses and a separate investigation of its daily talk show “The View.”

The FCC has said the license review is tied to an investigation into Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, while its probe into “The View” centers on whether the show violated so-called equal-time rules for politicians. ABC says both threaten free speech.

That ABC is running spots critical of a government agency shows how antagonistic the relationship between the network and the FCC has become. Under Chairman Brendan Carr, the FCC has taken a more combative approach to its interactions with media companies than prior administrations. The FCC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about ABC’s campaign. The spots about “The View” began airing on ABC stations around the country during Monday’s episode of the show.

“‘The View’ has welcomed your favorite guests and covered the issues you care about for nearly 30 years,” a voice-over says in an ad airing on ABC stations. The ad features video images of the show’s co-creator, the late Barbara Walters, as well as current hosts. “Now the FCC wants to control who is allowed to appear on the show.”. At the end of the spot, a QR code appears on screen that directs viewers to the FCC site where they can leave public comments.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/abc-launches-on-air-campaign-against-fcc-investigations/ar-AA26gK7x

[highplainsdem]

1. From the UK's Independent: ABC rallies The View fans in fight for free speech amid FCC investigations

https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/abc-the-view-fcc-comment-free-speech-b3000695.html

[Bengus81]

2. Can't wait to see that POS Brendan Carr run out of town

[cstanleytech]

3. Honestly the fairness doctrine has been dead for decades with broadcast radio and cable tv.

[onenote]

4. This FCC proceeding is not about the fairness doctrine

It is about the “equal opportunities” rule which applies to candidate appearances and has not been repealed.

[cstanleytech]

7. Same thing under a different name though.

[onenote]

9. Nope.

I have 45 years of experience working for the FCC or, in private practice, representing broadcasters, cable operators and satellite companies before the FCC and Congress and in the courts.

The Fairness Doctrine was an FCC-created policy requiring broadcasters to provide balanced coverage of controversial issues of public importance. It largely left the means of compliance to the stations and, despite what a lot of folks think, its impact was relatively limited.

The "equal opportunities" -- or "equal time" rule -- is a statutory requirement under which broadcast stations have to give legally qualified candidates comparable on-air access during certain windows preceding a primary or general election. It is triggered only by an actual "use" by one candidate and with certain limited exceptions, doesn't require a broadcaster to give time to any candidates. It is very specific and is enforced by the FCC.

[cstanleytech]

10. I stand corrected.

[Torchlight]

5. Outside of network tv, sure.

[The Grand Illuminist]

6. This will be a difficult fight.

nt

[FakeNoose]

8. I think by now most Americans know what happened to CBS

... and this is a good strategy for ABC... Best thing to do is show what a big bully Chump is. At the same time he's a cry-baby over the smallest, petty-est stuff! Come on ABC, you can win this! He gets easily bored too.