ABC accuses FCC of violating its First Amendment rights over its scrutiny of "The View"
Updated on: May 8, 2026 / 4:14 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- ABC filed a petition accusing the FCC of violating its First Amendment rights due to scrutiny of "The View."
- The FCC demands ABC prove "The View" is a bona fide news program to avoid equal time rules for political candidates.
- ABC argues the FCC's requirement would chill protected speech and constitutes viewpoint discrimination.
- The FCC's action follows a pattern after President Trump called on Disney to fire Jimmy Kimmel.
- The equal time rule requires stations that air one candidate to give equal airtime to all others, with an exemption for bona fide news programs.
- "The View" received this exemption in 2002, but the FCC is questioning it again.
- ABC cites the appearance of Texas Senate candidate James Talarico on "The View" as a potential trigger for the FCC's renewed scrutiny.
- Free-speech advocates support ABC's challenge, calling the FCC's actions potentially censorious.