In this Western Journal article, Bryan Chai reports that ABC and the FCC are clashing over whether “The View” should still qualify as a “bona fide news” program exempt from equal-time rules.
- The dispute centers on whether “The View” should be treated as a legitimate news interview program or merely a partisan talk show.
- ABC argues that “The View” has operated for more than 20 years under a bona fide news exemption recognized by the FCC.
- The equal-time rule generally requires broadcasters that give airtime to one political candidate to offer comparable access to opposing candidates for the same office.
- Congress created exemptions for bona fide news programming so news outlets would not be crippled by equal-time demands every time candidates appeared.
- The FCC is now asking ABC to justify why “The View” should continue qualifying for that exemption.
- A key flashpoint appears to be a February appearance by Texas Democrat and Senate candidate James Talarico.
- ABC says the show meets the legal requirements because it is regularly scheduled, controlled by ABC, and makes content decisions based on newsworthiness rather than campaign favoritism.
- The FCC says it will review Disney’s claim that “The View” is exempt as a bona fide news program.
- The controversy highlights the absurdity of media institutions demanding the legal privileges of news while often behaving more like openly ideological political programming.
Read the full story: https://www.westernjournal.com/view-considered-news-abc-fcc-go-battle-embattled-show/
