ABC, the Disney-owned television network, has launched an on-air campaign urging viewers to support its local stations as the Trump administration intensifies pressure, a move welcomed by press freedom advocates.
Local stations, including WABC in New York — the largest station owned and operated by ABC — have called on viewers to speak up during a public comment period running through July 29. Other stations, such as KTRK in Houston, have posted similar appeals on their websites.
The move follows an FCC order in April requiring ABC to submit early renewal applications for eight local TV stations. Beyond Houston and New York, the affected stations serve markets including San Francisco, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The FCC uses license renewal to assess whether stations are serving the public interest.
Free-speech advocates argue the FCC is acting to appease Trump by targeting a potential political opponent. Seth Stern, advocacy director at the Freedom of the Press Foundation, told Al Jazeera: “FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s open support for Trump’s effort to reshape and silence ABC has tainted every assertion from the FCC that it is merely doing its job in investigating ABC or its programming.”
In May, dissenting FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez wrote to Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro, warning of “the use of FCC power as a political weapon.” Gomez wrote: “Using the licenses of individual local stations as leverage against a parent company is an extraordinary and dangerous abuse of power.”
As Gomez noted, many of these stations were not due for renewal for another five years. Last month, ABC argued that the administration’s actions violate the network’s First Amendment rights. Stern said: “It is great to see ABC push back against these abuses of power. It is clearer than ever that capitulating to Trump does nothing but invite more attacks.”
The campaign comes as Trump escalates criticism of ABC. On June 18, ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl reported on peeling green paint at the bottom of the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial. Trump on Truth Social accused ABC of false reporting and hinted at further lawsuits, citing a previous defamation case ABC settled for $16 million.
Earlier, ABC had conceded to the administration by removing talk show host Jimmy Kimmel after comments about the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, but later reinstated him. In February, the FCC opened an investigation into ABC’s show The View for suspected equal-time rule violations. Gomez criticized the FCC for selectively enforcing the rule.
In March 2025, Carr opened an investigation into Disney’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, warning that broadcast licenses could be revoked. Carr stated: “If Disney engages in unlawful DEI discrimination, if it fails to operate its broadcast stations in the public interest, it will be held accountable.”
Carr’s remarks came as the FCC approved the merger between TEGNA and Nexstar. Critics accuse Nexstar’s programming, particularly the NewsNation channel, of slanting rightward to appease the president. ABC declined to comment to Al Jazeera.
