Disney Files Lawsuit Against FCC Over Early Reviews of ABC Licenses

Disney has filed a lawsuit against the FCC US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), claiming that the Trump Pressuring ABC over its programming decisions.

The company filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, August 18, in a US District Court in Washington, DC. Disney is asking the court to stop the FCC from carrying out early reviews of the licenses for eight ABC stations.

In its lawsuit, Disney accused the administration of launching a “retaliatory campaign” against ABC because it disagrees with some of the network’s programming. The company also described the FCC’s actions as an attack on free speech.

Disney’s lawsuit comes as tensions continue to grow between Trump, ABC and Jimmy Kimmel. Trump has frequently spoken out against Kimmel and earlier called on ABC to take action following a controversial joke.

The FCC has rejected Disney’s accusations. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the early license reviews were launched after an investigation into Disney’s diversity policies. He also stressed that no final decision has been made about whether the ABC licenses could be revoked.

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Carr said the agency would continue to examine the matter based on the facts and the law.

The dispute escalated after ABC continued to support Kimmel’s show despite Trump’s criticism. Carr then directed the network to submit early renewal paperwork for eight station licenses that were not scheduled for renewal until several years later.

Disney’s lawsuit now adds another major legal battle to the growing conflict between the Trump administration and the media company