ABC defends ‘The View’ against FCC equal‑time rule challenge

The Federal Communications Commission, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, is reviewing whether ABC’s daytime talk show “The View” should be treated as a bona‑fide news program and therefore exempt from the political equal‑time requirements that apply to other broadcasters. Carr cited ABC’s argument that the show is “just like Meet the Press” and warned that exempting it could undermine the agency’s statutory duty to ensure equal airtime for political candidates. ABC has responded by filing public comments, saying the FCC’s review threatens decades‑old legal practice and could chill protected speech. The network also highlighted the strong public engagement during the comment period. Hosts of “The View,” including Sunny Hostin, have made overtly partisan statements, prompting critics to label the program as partisan propaganda. The outcome could reshape how talk‑show programming is regulated under U.S. broadcast law.