FCC reviews ABC licenses after Kimmel's Trump joke controversy

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced this week that it is accelerating the review of eight local broadcasting licenses used by ABC. This decision follows a public backlash from the White House against late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over a joke he made about Melania Trump. Donald Trump called for Kimmel's firing after the host remarked that the first lady has 'a glow like an expectant widow.' The FCC, led by Trump-appointed chair Brendan Carr, stated that the licenses must be renewed by May 28, years ahead of their original schedule.

The FCC's action appears to be linked to an ongoing investigation into ABC's parent company, Disney, regarding its diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. David J Brown, chief of the video division at the FCC, explained that the agency has the authority to expedite license renewals when they are essential to an investigation. A Disney spokesperson confirmed the company is aware of the expedited process and expressed confidence in their compliance with FCC rules.

Carr, in a recent podcast, suggested that Disney's practices could raise character questions about the company, indicating that the FCC could take further action if it finds violations. Meanwhile, Anna M Gomez, the sole Democrat on the FCC, criticized the expedited review as unprecedented and politically motivated. Tom Wheeler, a former FCC chair, remarked that Carr has transformed the agency into a political tool rather than a neutral policy organization.

Despite the controversy, Kimmel's show aired as scheduled, and he defended his joke, stating it was not a call to violence. The FCC's scrutiny of ABC comes amid broader concerns about the agency's role in regulating media and the implications for press freedom. Seth Stern from the Freedom of the Press Foundation condemned the FCC's actions as intimidation against ABC.

What to watch: The outcome of the FCC's review process and any potential legal challenges from ABC or Disney regarding the expedited license renewal.