FCC Chairman Puts ‘The View’ On Notice Over ‘Equal Time’ Requirement

“Disney claims that its decisions are based on ‘newsworthiness’—rather than partisan purposes—and thus exempt from political equal time rules,” Carr wrote.

“The FCC will make its decision based on all relevant evidence and precedents,” he added.

The montage Carr posted included clips of panelists on the show discussing elections, criticizing Republican politicians, and expressing support for Democratic candidates and policies, which Carr highlighted as part of the ongoing review.

The FCC has not announced a final decision regarding the matter, and Carr’s post did not indicate when the agency expects to conclude its review.

The equal time rule generally requires broadcasters to provide legally qualified political candidates with comparable opportunities to use a broadcast station when one candidate is given airtime, although federal law includes several exemptions for bona fide news programming, news interviews, documentaries, and on-the-spot coverage of news events.

Whether the show qualifies for that exemption is among the issues being examined by the commission.