SerpApi.Org
California lawmakers are siding with KGO-TV as the ABC station fights to stay on the air.
Sixteen congressional Democrats, including Bay Area representatives Nancy Pelosi and Ro Khanna, signed a letter Wednesday, July 22, pushing back on the Federal Communications Commission's unusual early review, which could result in the revocation of the station's broadcast license.
KGO is among eight ABC affiliates affected by an order issued in April by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr directing Disney's ABC to file the stations' renewal applications years before their 2028 deadlines.
The FCC claimed the advance review was intended to determine whether the stations' personnel policies had violated agency rules on discrimination and whether the affiliates were operating in the public interest.
The lawmakers' letter, addressed to FCC Secretary Marlene Dortch, called the order part of a politically motivated "unlawful censorship campaign" aimed at suppressing free speech and representation.
"The Trump Administration has made explicit, politically-motivated and vindictive attacks against news outlets and reporters who are simply doing their job," San Francisco Congressman Kevin Mullin said in a statement to The Chronicle. "It is un-American and threatens the First Amendment rights of people everywhere."
The letter went on to argue that the early renewal process was intended to punish ABC for resisting political pressure.
"This early renewal process is merely a smokescreen to pursue President Trump's vindictive agenda to silence minority voices and punish companies that decline to do his bidding," the letter stated.
Disney's ABC is embroiled in a broader conflict with the FCC stemming from the temporary suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in September, due to the late-night host's comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk following his assasination. Protests demanding Kimmel's return to the air erupted nationwide, including at KGO's offices.
The California Democrats' letter comes one month after KGO began airing an appeal for support during its license renewal process. The televised spots urge audiences to contact the FCC before July 29, the agency's deadline for public comment.
Other affected stations are KABC in Los Angeles, KFSN in Fresno, KTRK in Houston, WLS in Chicago, WPVI in Philadelphia, WABC in New York and WTVD in Raleigh-Durham.
Much of the letter, spearheaded by Mullin, emphasized KGO's role in informing the region. The 77-year-old ABC station serves nine Northern California counties.
"Local news stations serve as the bedrock of an informed democracy by encouraging civic engagement and holding people in power accountable. KGO is an incredible resource to the community, and I was eager to lead my colleagues in standing up for our local ABC station and telling the FCC to cease this unlawful censorship effort," Mullin told The Chronicle.
The lawmakers cited KGO's live coverage of the tsunami warning that hit California shores in December 2024, as well as the station's partnerships with local organizations such as the San Francisco Chinese New Year and Pride parades, as examples of its service to the Bay Area.
"KGO's operations reflects the television station's deep investment and commitment to viewers in the Bay Area," the letter stated. "KGO is a trusted local television station that millions of viewers rely on for daily news, traffic, emergency weather alerts, and programming that serves our local community."
Subscribe
There’s more to San Francisco with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.Read this story on sfchronicle.com
