American Broadcasting Companies v. Federal Communications Commission

Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Date Filed: Sept. 17, 2026

Background: In April 2026, the Federal Communications Commission launched an early review of ABC’s local broadcasting licenses following criticism of the network by the Trump administration, including FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. The FCC has not called for an early renewal proceeding in more than five decades and it has never done so for all of the owned-and-operated stations for a national network in one grouping.

The FCC has claimed that its early review stems from its investigation into ABC’s employment practices. In August 2026, ABC sued the FCC, arguing that the true purpose of the license review is “coercing and retaliating against a network that refuses to bow to the Administration’s demands.” 

Our Position: In a friend-of-the-court brief in support of ABC, Reporters Committee is urging the court to block the FCC’s efforts to punish ABC for broadcasting coverage the Trump administration perceives as critical. 

• A free press is the cornerstone of our democracy.

• The climate of fear created by the FCC’s actions endangers our nation’s democracy.

From the Brief: “No Commission has ever been as systematically brazen as this one in using its regulatory power to try to silence critics of the President and the incumbent administration,” the brief states. “… If the Commission continues unchecked on its present course, its actions will pose threats no less severe in their democracy-threatening potential than the Alien and Sedition Acts, the Red Scare, and McCarthyism.” 

Related: Reporters Committee has previously submitted public comments to the FCC urging it to reject petitions seeking to deny ABC’s broadcasting license renewals and, separately, to find that interviews on ABC’s daytime talk show “The View” are exempt from a rule that requires broadcasters to give equal air time to opposing political candidates.