The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is conducting an early review of Disney’s television broadcast licenses following a controversial joke by late-night host Jimmy Kimmel about Melania Trump. President Donald Trump had called for Kimmel’s firing after the comedian joked that Melania had the glow of an “expectant widow,” shortly before a gunman fired shots at an event attended by the Trumps. The FCC’s order requires Disney to submit license renewal applications for its ABC stations within 30 days, although these were not due until 2028. This review could potentially lead to the revocation of the stations’ licenses, a move not seen in over 40 years. Democratic FCC commissioner Anna M Gomez criticized the order as a “political stunt,” emphasizing the First Amendment. The White House has also pressured ABC to dismiss Kimmel, who defended his comments as a light-hearted joke. The incident follows a shooting at a gala where the Trumps were present, with the suspect now charged with attempting to assassinate the president.
QUESTION: How might the FCC’s decision to review Disney’s broadcast licenses impact the relationship between media companies and government authorities?
US regulator to review Disney broadcast licences after Jimmy Kimmel joke about Melania Trump
