ABC launches ads asking viewers for support amid FCC probes
ABC began airing advertisements on its local stations Monday, asking viewers for support amid investigations launched by the Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission.
The advertising campaign comes as the federal agency pushes investigations into the network’s shows and after the federal agency’s atypical demand in April that stations owned by the network seek early renewal of their broadcast licenses.
“‘The View’ has welcomed your favorite guests and covered the issues you care about for nearly 30 years,” one of the ads aired during the daytime talk show said. “Now the FCC wants to control who is allowed to appear on the show. Tell the FCC to let the viewers decide.”
“Channel 7 has proudly served you for more than 75 years,” another ad airing on WABC in New York said. “Now the FCC is questioning our commitment to the community. Show your support. You have until July 29 to tell the FCC to keep your trusted local station on the air.”
Viewers are directed to a QR code where they are encouraged to comment on the FCC proceeding by July 6.
The FCC opened an investigation into “The View” in February after it interviewed Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico of Texas. The agency probed the show for possibly violating its equal time rule, which requires broadcast TV and radio stations to provide equal access and opportunities to rival political candidates.
Around the same time, late night host Stephen Colbert said CBS pulled an appearance by Talarico on his “Late Show” over fears it violated the rule. Colbert’s interview with the Texas politician was posted online instead.
One month earlier, the FCC changed a rule that reclassified talk shows. Shows hosting political candidates now generally do not automatically qualify as “bona fide news” programs, which are exempt from the equal time rule.
“This statutory requirement and the corresponding FCC rules seek to ensure that no legally qualified candidate for office is unfairly given less access to the public airwaves than their opponent,” the agency said at the time.
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Erum Salam is a breaking news reporter for MS NOW, with a focus on how global events and foreign policy shape U.S. politics. She previously was a breaking news reporter for The Guardian.
