Disney and ABC Sue Trump Administration Over First Amendment Violations

The FCC opened the inquiry in March, alleging that some on-air comments breached state broadcasting standards. ABC said the licence renewals of the local stations that air the programme were now at risk.

In the lawsuit, filed in the federal district court in Washington, Disney argues that the inquiry is being used to steer journalistic activity, in breach of the First Amendment. The complainants are asking the federal judge to halt the FCC process.

The FCC chair has called the probe a 'routine administrative process', but the timing is being read alongside the administration's other moves against media organisations. The case is seen as a potential precedent for media regulation in the Trump era.