FCC's attempt to punish ABC over Trump-disliked speech draws rare left-right backlash

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Conservatives and liberals lined up in opposition to the Federal Communications Commission's attempt to punish ABC for speech that President Trump dislikes.

Liberal advocacy groups urged FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to end his attacks on ABC, and conservative groups warned Carr not to set a precedent that would harm conservatives in future administrations. Former FCC chairs and commissioners from prior Republican and Democratic administrations also joined in opposition to what they call Carr's "campaign to censor disfavored speech and advance the president’s personal interest."

The FCC recently ordered ABC to file early license-renewal applications for the eight TV stations it owns and operates. A petition to deny ABC's license renewals was then submitted by the Center for American Rights, a conservative group whose previous petitions factored heavily into Carr's " news distortion " investigations into broadcasters accused of bias against Republicans and Trump. Another petition to deny was filed by the conservative Media Research Center.

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