Press Groups Ask FCC to Preserve Protected Speech for ‘The View’

Written By Journalism & Women Symposium

Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS) joined a coalition of other press groups to send a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of the Petition for Declaratory Ruling filed by American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. and KTRK Television, Inc. concerning “The View.” The letter urges the FCC to reaffirm its longstanding precedent regarding its bona fide news interview programming exemption (also known as the “Equal Time Rule”) under the Communications Act of 1934.

Under the Equal Time Rule, broadcasters are required to give equal time to opposing political candidates, but the FCC exempts “bona fide news” programs from that rule, including shows like “The View.” The letter asks the FCC to preserve protected speech for these programs and, in doing so, reinforce a principle essential to a healthy democracy: journalists and producers should decide what is newsworthy, not government regulators.

“This proceeding concerns more than ‘The View’ and more than a single television show,” the letter reads. “It highlights broader questions about how Americans access information, engage with competing viewpoints, and participate in democratic life. In an era of deep political polarization and declining trust in institutions, preserving independent channels for public debate is more important than ever. News interview programming plays a vital role in that process by connecting Americans directly with elected officials, candidates, policymakers, experts, and other influential figures.”

Read the full letter here and see the list of signers below:

  • American Society of Journalists and Authors

  • Andrew Jay Schwartzman (Individual)

  • Asian American Journalists Association

  • Center for American Progress

  • Freedom of the Press Foundation

  • Frequency Forward

  • Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS)

  • Media Access Project

  • Media and Democracy Project

  • Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC)

  • National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)

  • National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)

  • National Hispanic Media Coalition

  • National Press Club

  • National Press Club Journalism Institute

  • NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists

  • Public Knowledge

  • SAJA

RELATED: JAWS Joins Press Groups to Commend ABC for Defending ‘The View’, Kimmel

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