The ABC network has accused FCC chair Brendan Carr of attempting to engage in censorship on behalf of the Trump administration. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
July 30 (UPI) -- The ABC network has accused the Federal Communications Commission of attempting to censor what it broadcasts by pressuring its local stations to apply for early renewal of their licenses.
In its regulatory filing, which is a response to the FCC's request that ABC-owned broadcast stations reapply for their licenses, ABC alleged that FCC chair Brendan Carr's criticism and actions at the agency have amounted to "attempted censorship," Politico reported.
The network said in the filing that actions by the agency and Carr have been aimed at shaping news reports across the media in ways that violate U.S. Constitutional freedom of the press.
The FCC, in a statement on Thursday to The Hill, contended that it is operating in the public interest, based on what it said are "equal opportunity regulations" as it accused the network of operating "in the narrow or partisan interests of a political party."
