FCC Commissioner Warns Disney That FCC Wants to Censor ABC

Key Points:

• FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez accused the Trump administration of using the FCC to conduct a “sustained, coordinated campaign of censorship and control” against ABC, alleging pressure on the media to suppress critical coverage.
• Gomez’s letter to Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro highlighted recent FCC actions, including investigations into Disney’s DEI practices, scrutiny of ABC’s moderation of the 2024 presidential debate, and early license renewal orders for ABC-owned stations, which are often precursors to fines or challenges.
• She cited incidents such as the backlash against Jimmy Kimmel and ABC’s $16 million settlement in Trump’s defamation suit as examples of regulatory pressure aimed at intimidating broadcasters.
• Gomez warned that such actions serve as a warning to the media rather than immediate sanctions, emphasizing the ongoing threat to press freedom under the current FCC leadership.
• Committed to combating these efforts, Gomez pledged to use all available means to expose and challenge the FCC’s actions that she views as undermining independent journalism.