The Federal Communications Commission opened a proceeding to determine whether ABC's The View qualifies as a bona fide news interview program. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's investigation asks the public to weigh in on whether the show's format decisions stem from newsworthiness or partisan political intent. The move targets ABC's long-standing exemption from the equal-time rule that requires equal broadcast time for political candidates.

Carr has aligned the FCC with President Trump's agenda, abandoning traditional independence to investigate broadcasters the administration dislikes. Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez condemned the action as politically motivated censorship targeting administration critics. The FCC's inquiry follows Carr's threats against ABC's station licenses and review of the network's diversity practices.

ABC previously secured the news exemption in 2002 during the Bush administration, which remains unchallenged. The network argues the FCC oversteps authority and violates First Amendment rights by questioning established precedent. ABC's filing emphasizes that programs meeting the three-part test for news exemptions should not face repeated scrutiny.

The FCC set June 22 for initial comments and July 6 for replies. This proceeding represents the latest escalation in the administration's campaign against mainstream media outlets, potentially reshaping broadcast regulation for decades to come.