Disney and ABC are asking the Federal Communications Commission to keep “The View” classified as a bona fide news interview program. That matters because the label helps the show stay exempt from the equal time rule, which can force broadcasters to give political candidates similar airtime in certain cases.
The company filed the request earlier this month on behalf of ABC and its Houston station KTRK-TV. Disney says the long-running daytime show belongs in the same category as programs like “Meet the Press” and “Face the Nation,” which mix interviews, political discussion and news analysis.
The equal time rule comes from the Communications Act of 1934 and was written to stop broadcasters from tilting the playing field with the public airwaves. In simple terms, if a station gives one candidate time on a non-news program, it may have to offer the same opportunity to other candidates.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is not buying Disney’s argument. He said a show does not qualify as bona fide news if it is being used for partisan purposes, and he questioned whether “The View” meets the standard the agency uses for true news programming.
Disney says the show has had the exemption for more than 20 years and warns that changing the rule now could upset settled law and chill protected speech. The dispute also comes after years of tension between President Donald Trump and people associated with the show.
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Sources: Facebook Florida Hillbilly | UPI | FCC
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