Disney asks the court to halt the review as retaliation
The Walt Disney CompanyCorporate plaintiff, acting jointly with ABC station plaintiffs through counsel
Disney and its station plaintiffs say the accelerated review punishes ABC's editorial choices and chills speech.
Responding to
The FCC's early renewal proceeding is retaliation for ABC's protected programming and journalism.
“Acting through the Federal Communications Commission, the Administration has waged a retaliatory campaign against ABC for a single reason: it disapproves of what ABC broadcasts. This Court should immediately enjoin Defendants from taking or threatening to take any action against Plaintiffs in relation to the early license renewal applications, including issuing a Hearing Designation Order in connection with Plaintiffs’ renewal applications.”
Original text
Where this statement fits
Is the FCC's early review of ABC's broadcast licenses legitimate oversight or retaliation?
The FCC called eight ABC-owned television station licenses for early renewal in April 2026. Disney alleges retaliation for protected programming. The FCC and America First Legal defend the review as lawful oversight, while press-freedom groups and Anna Gomez oppose it. The lawsuit also disputes whether the district court can intervene before a final FCC decision.
Source and context
Original text
About this source
Disney and its ABC station plaintiffs allege retaliation and harm to editorial freedom and seek an injunction. These are their allegations, not a court finding.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The FCC required early applications from eight ABC-owned stations in April.
After the quotation
The complaint seeks immediate relief from the alleged constitutional injury.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The complaint opposes the FCC's challenged action and seeks an injunction against it.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr
More from this case
Read the full caseGomez calls the license threat an extreme response
“Threatening license revocation is an extreme step, basically a death sentence over a speeding ticket.”Read statement
FIRE's coalition calls for the review to be halted
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
“This Court must intervene to halt the Commission's retaliatory proceeding and continued abuse of executive power.”Read statement
Reporters Committee urges the court to stop the license review
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
“This Court should act with resolve - now - to bring an end to the Commission's abuse of its licensing authority against ABC.”Read statement
Cite this record
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- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Disney asks the court to halt the review as retaliation
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- https://disputeindex.com/events/5176-disney-and-its-station-plaintiffs-say-the-accelerated
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The Dispute Index. "Disney asks the court to halt the review as retaliation". First published: 2026-10-07. Last updated: 2026-10-07. https://disputeindex.com/events/5176-disney-and-its-station-plaintiffs-say-the-accelerated