ABC Hits Back at Trump as He Targets ‘The View’
Days after Disney fired back at Donald Trump‘s FCC commissioner’s threats to reconsider the company’s broadcast licenses for ABC, the network is now taking action to oppose the administration’s targeting of The View for the so-called “equal time” rule.
As detailed by Variety, ABC has filed a petition to oppose the FCC’s order for one of its affiliates to formally ask for a decision as to whether the daytime talk show qualifies for the news exception to the “equal time” rule for candidate interviews.
In a discharge petition, the network wrote, “The Commission’s order to file this Petition for Declaratory Ruling is unprecedented, beyond the Commission’s authority, and counterproductive to the Commission’s stated goal of encouraging free speech and open political discussion. The Commission’s actions threaten to upend decades of settled law and practice and chill critical protected speech, both with respect to The View and more broadly.”
The claim continued, “The View has been broadcasting under a bona fide news exemption granted to it more than 20 years ago, consistent with longstanding Commission interpretations designed to minimize the serious First Amendment problems inherent in the equal time regime. The View‘s exemption remains valid, and the constitutional infirmities in the equal time doctrine are even more pronounced today, when the broadcast airwaves account for a slice of the numerous media options through which Americans get their political information. Indeed, the marketplace of ideas has never been more robust, and people can hear virtually any brand of political commentary by listening to a podcast, watching cable, scrolling social media, or streaming on a phone, computer, or connected TV. The free flow of ideas flourishes on these non-broadcast platforms, even though the equal opportunities rule does not apply there.”
ABC added that to uphold the restriction on The View “would risk restricting political discourse exactly when it is needed most.”
FCC head Brendan Carr indicated he was going after The View through the agency months ago, even before the commission formally issued new guidance about the equal time rule. On April 28, the administration also ordered Disney’s ABC to “file license renewals for all of their licensed TV stations within 30 days.” The challenge was said to be related to the FCC’s ongoing probe of Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion hiring initiatives.
In response to that order, which came days after Trump publicly called for Jimmy Kimmel to be fired by the network for a joke he made about Melania Trump in his faux White House Correspondents’ Dinner speech, Disney issued a statement, saying, “We have received the Federal Communications Commission’s order initiating an accelerated review of the licenses held by ABC’s owned television stations. ABC and its stations have a long record of operating in full compliance with FCC rules and serving their local communities with trusted news, emergency information, and public‑interest programming.”
Conversation42 Comments
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S
The View been on for 30 years ,
It seems to draw attention to all walks of life.
Many Republicans would love to see it end. I heard that they don\'t like some of the cast.
Don\'t like the view, change the station.
In many of the conversations on the View are speaking truth, facts and personal opinions.
It is their 1st Amendment right.
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M
The VIEW may be slightly biased.
It appears to be an opinion program that promotes the Democrat issues, you know
; like men playing in sports with women, genitalia reassigned to those of any age, and so on.
Respectfully, but amazed this program isn\'t flagged as being undemocratic, since democracy requires truth and objectivity,
michael z
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K
I’ve watched a view for many many years and it’s the view. They have opinions that most consumers have but nobody listens and I’m really proud of them. They say things in conversations and other people refuse to say . The view needs to be there because that’s the real news. It’s the first amendment. It’s people‘s opinions.
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C
I support “The View” 100%! Trump’s administration need to stop political censoring of America’s television programs!
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J
Let the women speak! Otherwise, catering to the whims of the Toddler-in-Chief will turn this nation into an authoritarian regime.
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G
carr BEST watch himself. He can do this the easy way or the hard way. His choice. He also BETTER adjust his attitude REAL quick or someone will have NO choice but to adjust it for him. It\'s NOT going to be pretty.
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T
Sounds allot like a threat.
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A
Great sarcasm. When said against Carr, it sounds exactly like an out of bounds threat. Which is exactly was it sounds like when said if “The View” and other shows. Whoever thought a president’s FCC pick would try to end the first amendment. I might add, is he going to go after Fox the same way? Love to see half the guests and hosts too be democrats! Remember, they called themselves an entertainment and not a news channel during the lawsuit they lost. The right’s hypocrisy about the first amendment knows no bounds.
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R
The View presents valuable information and confronts real issues and ask questions of its guest that the viewers like myself want to here.
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J
He needs to stop trying to stop the view from talking about what he’s doing and done and serve the people of this country then what he’s doing they are keeping the people of America informed about all of the issues he has created and i myself think he needs to be removed from office and put in jail for all the corruption in his administration and let the view a lone
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S
\"The View has welcomed your favorite guests for nearly 30 years. The FCC should not be allowed to control who is allowed to appear on the show. The show is informative and I look forward hearing the opinions of the cast on important issues each day. Stop trying to control the media and what everyone thinks. I thought one of the important constitutional amendments was freedom of speech- sooooo let them speak!!!
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L
The View represents American Women’s VIEWS on many different topics that are discussed by different types of people. They do not report “news” - they discuss current events. All Americans benefit and learn from healthy debate.
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G
They do not report “news” You just admitted that the view is not a bonified news show.
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T
Iran chose the hard way. Now they’re being Offered the easy way again. We’ll see what they choose………
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A
Trump has had more than his share of air time on all channels and platforms. He has received plenty of chances to air his opinions/grievances, and the FCC should not be bending a knee to make him happy—-Brendan Carr needs to quit trying to censor the media.
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M
They should be cancelled as they are to hateful.. their obsession for hating Trump is tiring to hear!!
Cancel this show
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D
Do you even watch it??? Or are you simply listening to Fox “News”?
As far as obsessed hatred, that’s 100% trump and maga. You people have zero ability to think for yourselves.
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D
Why should we watch the dumb show. They’re on the news everywhere, everyday. Time not wasted for me watching such evil people. Btw…..leave our First Lady alone!!!
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J
Free speech is on the chopping block and your obsession for Trump is not reason to cancel a show.
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E
Exactly!!!! For the vitriol that they spew about Biden and Obama, neither threatened to pull a network due to not agreeing with them. Press is needed!!!
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G
Screw Donald Trump! Leave The View alone! Freedom of speech, folks!!
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T
please cancel those obnoxious entitled
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E
Him first
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A
Looks like the FCC will have no choice but to do things \"the hard way\"...
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R
The View is an important show - Trump will not be president forever - frankly, he and his entire family should be sent to Russia for the rest of their lives so they can experience what it\'s like to live in an authoritarian society
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J
It needs to go and the panel doesn\'t know what they are talking about most of the time. They spill hate. Sonny is the worst with Joy.
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R
By giving Iran $3,000,000,000 that\'s really hard for them to take. Trump will be long dead after they take retaliation on on us. As if we ever can trust Iran and whatever they say they\'re going to do or not do. They used to call us rich Americans now we\'re just stupid Americans Thanks to Trump.
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J
Trump killed the deal Obama had, where we had an eye on what they did, because he hates Obama. With Trump we just spent a lot of money helping Genocide BB by bombing, killing people, and our military lost lives. On top of that, the amount of money in the agreement is over what Obama\'s agreement was, and the money was actually way less in Obama\'s agreement. I believe Obama was having money withheld that should have belonged to Iran, but am not sure. The bottom line is Trump has caused all of this.
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J
THIS!!!
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G
The View is a disgrace. Comments made are ridiculous. Outside of their political views, these ladies could be a positive influence on the unity of Americans.
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T
The View is not a news show. It\'s entertainmemt and not even good entertainment.There is no one on the show that is a journalist. Their conversation is uninformed, petty and mean.
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R
Cancel this show, it’s there view or no view it’s truly a horrible show abc why don’t you check on the Disney child trafficking scandal that is going on? I’m done with ABC! I could only hope you’re put out of business! 🙏
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E
I am very upset that Donald Trump is now attacking The View. The View is a women’s channel that discusses politics and day to day happening.
Who they bring on the show should not be censored! As Americans we should be able to watch what we want on tv. Government should not start controlling our political information. We are suppose to be in a free country. Slowly Donald Trump and his Billionaire friends are taking our freedoms away.
This needs to stop!
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B
I watch the view every day or if I cannot I DVR it. I enjoy it & find it interesting. Do not take away our freedom of speech. This is OUR 1st amendment!!
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D
I love The View!!!
I have watched it since its inception!!
It’s one of only a few shows that’s about everybody!! For everybody!
It’s very real, honest and covers a variety of topics that we can All relate to! It’s refreshing in theis crazy time!
We Need this Show!!!
I don’t trust the FCC!!
I feel like our government hates us!!!
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A
This is just another attempt by this corrupt administration to dictate the public airwaves. I’ve already stopped watching Fox and CBS . If they start to tamper with talk shows you will loose me altogether. America is supposed to be synonymous with freedom of speech. To acquiesce to this hypocrisy is unacceptable.
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G
Seems to me that can easily be seen as a threat.
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H
Leave the View alone. Get rid of DJT and fight the FCC.
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G
The view is a show of criticizing anyone who doesn’t believe what they believe. They are spreading hate.
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G
Perhaps! I’d rather speak than be silenced!
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M
Who watches that show in the middle of the work day. Get a job
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J
Streaming is a thing, my friend.
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