ABC is continuing to fight back forcefully against efforts by federal regulators to reopen the question of whether its popular talk show “The View” is subject to equal time rules. The network, which has accused the Trump administration of trying to chill free speech in the escalating dispute, argued in a new filing to the Federal Communications Commission, made public Tuesday, that the issue had been resolved by the commission itself more than two decades ago.The latest ABC filing was required as part of the FCC review process. It consisted of “reply comments” to the commission in support of the network’s petition for a declaratory ruling that “The View” — the long-running morning show that combines entertainment and political interviews and often features commentary critical of President Donald Trump — is a bona fide news program.
ABC cited a 2002 FCC decision qualifying “The View” as such, which would mean it’s exempt from equal time rules. Those rules require granting equal airtime to competing candidates for office. In a May filing, ABC similarly accused the Trump administration of trying to chill its constitutionally protected free speech and hinder open political discussion by reopening the question about “The View.”
