FCC Chief Defends Licensing Action Against ABC Over Public Interest Standards

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr justified his agency’s enforcement actions against ABC on Friday, arguing that broadcast networks have an obligation to serve the public interest as part of their licensing agreement. During an appearance on Fox Business Network, Carr contended that broadcasters receive valuable airwave access at no cost and must therefore fulfill their regulatory obligations to the American public.

Carr told anchor Maria Bartiromo that the nation lacks a trusted news media environment and called for broadcasters to recommit to their public interest responsibilities. His comments emerged as the FCC and ABC remained locked in an escalating dispute, with the network alleging the agency is retaliating against its editorial decisions.

ABC filed formal opposition Thursday to the FCC’s expedited review of eight of its local broadcast licenses, launched in April well before their scheduled expiration dates. The network stated in its filing that the agency singled out the stations solely because they are ABC-owned and because the Trump administration has publicly demanded the revocation of ABC’s licenses over disagreements with the network’s news coverage and programming.

ABC characterized the licensing review as retaliation designed to intimidate media companies nationwide into aligning their news coverage with administration preferences. The network further warned that such pressure threatens press freedom across the industry and could chill independent journalism through fear of official consequences.

The licensing dispute represents only one facet of the ongoing conflict between ABC and the FCC. The agency is simultaneously pushing to subject the talk show “The View” to equal-time rules requiring competing political candidates receive airtime, a matter the FCC determined did not apply to the program in 2002.

During his Fox interview, Carr expanded his definition of public interest obligations to include prohibitions on news distortions, hoaxes, and what he characterized as discriminatory diversity practices. He did not provide specifics regarding the allegations against ABC.

ABC cited more than 140,000 public comments submitted during the FCC’s review period, noting that over 95 percent supported the network’s position. The filing emphasized the unprecedented volume of public support for a license renewal proceeding and highlighted that supporters represented diverse political viewpoints united by commitment to free speech protections.

The network also pointed out that the FCC had not previously requested early license renewal applications for more than 50 years before taking this action against ABC, arguing the departure from established procedure demonstrates political motivation rather than legitimate regulatory concerns.