Judge Plans October Hearing In ABC's First Amendment Lawsuit Against The FCC, Sets Briefing Schedule

A federal judge has scheduled an October hearing in ABC's First Amendment lawsuit against the FCC and set a briefing schedule. The network asks for an order to halt early license-renewal proceedings for its eight owned stations.

ABC sued the FCC arguing the action against a broadcast license case is retaliation over its content and in retaliation for its reporting, misconduct from the administration.

It tests how the FCC can use licensing power against newsroom speech, and the boundaries of a broadcaster's license. It is a major free-press / free-speech case.