ABC Opposes FCC’s Move to Dismiss First Amendment Lawsuit, Calls Early License Renewal ‘Broadcaster Death Penalty’

ABC is opposing the FCC's move to dismiss a First Amendment lawsuit, describing the early license renewal order for its eight owned stations as a broadcaster death penalty. In a new legal filing, ABC argues that the FCC failed to refute substantial evidence of a retaliatory motive from the Trump administration. The network claims the Commission's inquiry is not intended to investigate discrimination, but rather to license specific viewpoints, challenging the agency's justification for the rare order.