FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that ABC’s decision not to air a presidential address live will be taken into account during the network’s broadcast‑license review.
ABC, along with two other major networks, declined to carry the speech in real time, though ABC made the content available through its digital platforms. The address contained allegations of foreign interference in recent elections.
Carr emphasized that a sitting president delivering a speech from the White House constitutes important public information that broadcasters are expected to carry, citing concerns about compliance with the public interest.
The remarks coincided with ABC and its parent filing early renewal applications for eight owned‑and‑operated stations, following an FCC directive that accelerated the process while the agency examines the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion policies.
ABC described the directive as unlawful, arbitrary, and unconstitutional, arguing that the early filing requirement is unprecedented.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, the agency’s sole Democrat, disputed Carr’s position, stating that the commission lacks authority to penalize broadcasters for editorial choices protected by the First Amendment.
Gomez noted that broadcasters have previously declined to air presidential remarks under administrations of both parties without regulatory complaint, and that the speech was freely accessible online.
She warned that applying a vague public‑interest standard to punish speech contrary to the current administration undermines legal and constitutional principles.
Historically, major networks have also opted not to broadcast speeches by former presidents after White House requests, balancing the need for uninterrupted coverage against potential political messaging and contested statements.
ABC’s ongoing FCC scrutiny extends beyond the license issue, with a recent investigation into whether a daytime talk show violated the federal equal‑time rule, prompting the network to solicit viewer feedback.
