US FCC orders early review of ABC broadcast licenses following Jimmy Kimmel joke controversy

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has accelerated the review of eight local broadcast licenses held by ABC, following a public call by former President Donald Trump to fire late-night host Jimmy Kimmel over a controversial joke about Melania Trump.

The FCC's announcement came on Tuesday, requiring ABC to file for license renewal by 28 May, years ahead of the original schedule.

The licenses under review belong to ABC-owned stations in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, San Francisco, Raleigh-Durham, and Fresno.

These stations were not due for renewal until between 2028 and 2031.

The move follows Kimmel's joke describing the first lady as having "a glow like an expectant widow," made days before an attempted shooting at a White House event.

Trump publicly demanded Kimmel's dismissal, and the White House Communications Director called for Kimmel to be "shunned for the rest of his life." The FCC, led by Trump-appointed chair Brendan Carr, stated that the early review is connected to an ongoing investigation into ABC's parent company Disney's diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, as well as potential violations including unlawful discrimination.

The agency has the authority to call in licenses for early renewal if it deems it essential to an investigation or to ensure broadcasters meet public interest obligations.

Disney responded by affirming that ABC and its stations operate in full compliance with FCC rules and serve their local communities with trusted news and public-interest programming.

The company emphasized its commitment to viewers in the communities where its stations operate.

This accelerated review is notable as the FCC has not revoked broadcast licenses in over 40 years.

Democratic FCC commissioner Anna M Gomez criticized the order as a "political stunt," calling it unprecedented and unlawful, and encouraged companies to challenge it on First Amendment grounds.

The controversy highlights tensions between media regulation and political influence, especially given the timing of the FCC's investigation and the White House's vocal criticism of Kimmel.

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