Public Interest Groups Move to Block Backroom FCC-Disney Settlement Over ABC Licenses

In the fight over the license renewals of eight Disney-owned ABC television stations, the Media Action Center and Frequency Forward today filed a Petition to Deny at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The petition demands that the FCC grant Disney's renewal applications immediately, but warns that if Disney agrees to restrict its speech or editorial independence to secure those renewals, the groups will seek license revocation. By filing a Petition to Deny, petitioners become parties to the proceedings, can shine a spotlight on any negotiations, and have standing to appeal FCC decisions in court.

"Time and time again, We the People have witnessed the FCC pretend to protect our public interest in broadcasting, but then go behind closed doors to make secret deals which harm us instead. This time, when our very Democracy is at stake, we are filing a Petition to Deny to become formal parties to this anti-First Amendment proceeding and defend the public interest from the weaponization of the FCC. This time, the FCC must address our arguments so Disney, ABC, and the Commission have no opportunity to secretly negotiate away the people's rights to our publicly owned airwaves."

The petition is accompanied by declarations from viewers in the affected stations' broadcast markets to establish standing. By filing a Petition to Deny, the groups receive procedural rights that informal commenters lack and it preserves a pathway to challenge the FCC's actions in court, if necessary.

"Filing this petition is the difference between being a party to the case and merely filing an amicus brief. Comments can inform the FCC, but they do not compel the agency to act, nor do they guarantee the public a seat at the table. This unprecedented strategy is necessary because the FCC has taken the unprecedented step of threatening the integrity of the news by seeking to replace ABC's journalistic judgment with an administration-friendly point of view."

By becoming a party to the proceeding, the petitioners are also guaranteed access to all communications between the parties and commit to making any communication not submitted in FCC Docket No. 26-131 available for public review.

The petition asks the FCC to grant Disney's renewal applications immediately and without conditions, terminate any unconstitutional investigations, and stop using broadcast licensing as a tool to chill protected speech. But if Disney agrees to restrict its speech in any way through negotiations with the FCC, this petition is the public's opportunity to seek accountability for the corporation's decision to undermine viewers' constitutional rights. A copy of the petition is available here.