Former FCC Leaders Decry ABC License Review as Free Speech Attack

WHO:

Variety - The current chairman of the FCC is Brendan Carr.

Deadline - A group of former FCC chairs and top agency officials from both political parties are involved in the criticism.

WHAT:

Variety - The FCC is conducting an early review of spectrum licenses for eight ABC-owned TV stations.

Deadline - The officials characterized the FCC's actions as "an assault on free speech disguised as regulatory process."

WHERE:

Variety - The review pertains to ABC-owned TV stations, which are part of the Disney company.

WHEN:

Variety - The filing with the FCC occurred on a Tuesday.

WHY:

Variety - The former officials claim the review is a campaign to "censor Disney's and ABC's speech."

HOW:

Deadline - The criticism was formally presented in a filing with the FCC.

(UPDATED July 28, 2026 16:33 UTC)

The current chairman of the FCC, Brendan Carr, is facing criticism from a group of former FCC chairs and top agency officials from both political parties regarding an early review of spectrum licenses for eight ABC-owned TV stations, which are part of the Disney company. These officials have characterized the FCC's actions as "an assault on free speech disguised as regulatory process," claiming it is a campaign to "censor Disney's and ABC's speech." The formal criticism was presented in a filing with the FCC on a Tuesday.