Tuesday, 28 July 2026, 13:12
The Trump administration, through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is targeting California TV stations owned by Disney's ABC network, sparking a battle over free speech and broadcast licenses. ABC7 is urging viewers in the Bay Area and Los Angeles to defend KGO-TV and KABC from potential shutdown, as reported by the East Bay Times.
The FCC is reviewing licenses for several Disney-owned stations, including KGO-TV in San Francisco, KABC in Los Angeles, WABC in New York, WLS in Chicago, WPVI in Philadelphia, KTRK in Houston, WTVD in Raleigh-Durham, and KFSN in Fresno. The commission asked Disney to reapply early for renewal—an unprecedented move in decades, according to CNN.
ABC7 is calling on viewers to act quickly, with a July 29 deadline for public comments. So far, tens of thousands have submitted support for ABC, per Reuters. The network expects Trump supporters to flood the FCC with complaints to shut down stations.
FCC Chair Brendan Carr stated in June that all options remain on the table, accusing Disney of a “fairly standard off-the-shelf PR strategy.” He added, “We're going to follow the facts and the law wherever they take this.” This threat comes after the Supreme Court granted Trump power to fire leaders of previously independent agencies like the FCC. Trump called it “such an Honor” to be the president who won this ruling.
Anna Gomez, one of the few Democrats remaining at federal agencies, warned the ruling will lead to an agency that “pulls its punches and defers to political winds,” costing consumers in higher prices and fewer choices. ABC has blasted the review as a direct assault on the First Amendment, stating, “The Order is inconsistent with a legitimate exercise of investigative authority and is plainly incompatible with the First Amendment.”
For California residents, the threat directly impacts KGO-TV in San Francisco and KABC in Los Angeles, both key sources of local news and emergency information. The FCC's review could disrupt coverage for millions of viewers across the state, particularly in the Bay Area and Southern California.
As the July 29 deadline approaches, California viewers have a critical opportunity to voice their support for local ABC stations. The outcome of this FCC review could set a precedent for media independence under presidential pressure, affecting free speech nationwide.
