ABC responded to the Federal Communications Commission threats against The View with a searing filing accusing the commission of trying to “upend decades of settled law and practice and chill critical protected speech.”

In a new filing that was made public Friday, the Disney-owned network accused the FCC of violating its free speech rights by attempting to limit The View‘s coverage with the equal time rule, which requires news programs to give equal time and opportunity to political candidates from opposing parties. ABC notes in the filing The View had been granted an exemption from the rule over 20 years ago.

“The View has been broadcasting under a bona fide news exemption granted to it more than twenty years ago, consistent with longstanding Commission interpretations designed to minimize the serious First Amendment problems inherent in the equal time regime,” the network states in the filing.

At another point in the filing, ABC defending the daytime talk show’s coverage, writing, “Some may dislike certain — or even most — of the viewpoints expressed on The View or similar shows. Such dislike, however, cannot justify using regulatory processes to restrict those views.”

After Jimmy Kimmel Live was suspended in September over the comedian’s comments about Charlie Kirk, Trump-appointed FCC chairman Brendan Carr said it may be “worthwhile” to look into whether The View or other television shows are violating FCC regulations.

“I would assume you could make the argument that The View is a bona fide news program,” he said at the time. “But I am not so sure about that, and I think it is worthwhile to have the FCC look into whether The View and some of these other programs that you have still qualify as bonafide news programs.”

The filing details how the FCC has pressured ABC since. The Commission reportedly demanded the network file to renew all of its licenses years before they expire. It also ordered KTRK Television to file another petition regarding The View‘s exempt status as a bone fide news program.

It also notes that the show was granted an exemption in 2002 and it “remains in full force and effect,” adding, “The Commission has taken no action over the last two decades to modify or overturn the
Declaratory Ruling and there is no basis for doing so now.”

The filing called for the Commission to protect broadcasters’ “good faith news judgment” as the 2026 election approaches.

“This goal—giving the public the broadest access to news about political races by permitting broadcasters to cover political news without fear of sanction—is especially critical today. As the 2026 election approaches, the American people need more access to political news and more exposure to political candidates, not less.”

The View airs on weekdays at 11/10c on ABC.