politics
FCC Chairman Orders Early License Review for Eight ABC Stations
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr directed ABC to submit renewal applications for eight local stations by May 28, citing possible violations of the Communications Act and agency rules. The order came more than two years ahead of the normal schedule.
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The FCC cited possible violations of the Communications Act of 1934 and agency rules on unlawful discrimination. ABC, owned by Disney, submitted the filings by the deadline but stated the order was unlawful, arbitrary, and unconstitutional. The network said the directive opened the door to an assault on station licenses while the commission searched for a legal pretext.
Minow, appointed by President John F. Kennedy, also pressed television networks on programming standards. In a May 1961 speech, Minow described much of the day's television as a vast wasteland and warned that broadcast licenses were not permanent. Carr's review focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at ABC stations.
Minow, by contrast, urged broadcasters to offer a wider range of choices and more alternatives for viewers.
A dozen Democratic senators sent a letter of protest, saying the timing of the order appeared linked to criticism of ABC's editorial decisions. Both actions drew objections from First Amendment advocates who viewed them as government interference with broadcasters.
