ABC Defends The View as Bona Fide News Program in FCC Filing

ABC submitted a filing to the Federal Communications Commission defending The View against an agency investigation into whether the program meets the definition of a bona fide news show. The filing states that the show has conducted newsmaking interviews and that the FCC's equal opportunity rules should not apply.

It notes that more than 76,000 public comments have been submitted since the case opened.

ABC wrote that the First Amendment does not allow the government to act as an editor. The network also pointed out that the FCC has previously granted exemptions to programs hosted by individuals with political views. The filing states that the rules should apply equally to talk radio, where candidates appear without opponents.

It argues that focusing on daytime and late-night television while leaving talk radio untouched is not evenhanded regulation.

Background The FCC opened its review after The View hosted Texas Senate candidate James Talarico. The agency has proposed changes to the criteria used to determine which programs qualify as bona fide news. ABC stated that political bookings on the show have slowed since the investigation began.

The network also addressed arguments from outside groups that a host's political views should affect exemption eligibility.