26-131 — Comment Digest

The comments discuss whether KGO-TV's license should be renewed based on its community role and content.

Filers split on: “The Commission should grant the renewal of KGO-TV's license.”

• Majid Soleimani Ping Yue FCC Filingsupport — The commenter emphasizes the importance of KGO-TV in serving the public interest and providing vital information to the community.p. 1
• jon costella KGO TV supportsupport — The commenter emphasizes the importance of KGO-TV as a news source, indicating that its presence is valuable to the community.p. 1
• Judy KGO TVsupport — The commenter urges the renewal of KGO-TV's license, highlighting its importance in providing truthful news coverage.p. 1
• John Steimle FCC KGOsupport — The commenter expresses a strong belief that KGO-TV and ABC fulfill their responsibilities to the public effectively, warranting the renewal of their license.p. 1
• brian kruse kgosupport — The commenter makes a direct appeal to keep KGO-TV broadcasting, reflecting their strong support for the station's continued operation.p. 1
• Susan La Fetra KGO Google Docssupport — The commenter strongly supports the continued operation of KGO-TV, emphasizing its valuable content and its contribution to the diversity of media options available to viewers.p. 1

The comments discuss whether FCC actions undermine diversity and inclusion efforts in media programming.

Filers split on: “The Commission should deny actions that undermine diversity and inclusion in media programming.”

• Crystal Walter FCC Filingoppose — The commenter expresses concern that the FCC's actions could be influenced by political disagreements rather than legal standards, potentially undermining diversity efforts.p. 1
• Sandra H Fink Channel 7oppose — The commenter argues that regulating which programs are acceptable is a form of censorship that undermines democratic principles.p. 1
• Cindy Angerhofer FCC Disneyoppose — The commenter urges the FCC to reconsider its actions, suggesting that targeting companies like Disney is a misuse of resources and taxpayer money.p. 1
• Michelle Fizer Peterson Letter to FCCsupport — The commenter highlights WABC-TV's commitment to community engagement and its role in promoting underrepresented communities, particularly through its programming.p. 1
• Mark Solley FCC View letter 6 23 26oppose — The commenter argues that the show is slanted to the left and does not allow opposing views to be heard.p. 1
• Marc Barberis ABClicenseoppose — The commenter argues that an expedited or politicized review process could undermine the public's right to diverse journalism and discourage media outlets from covering important issues.p. 1

The comments address whether the FCC's actions infringe on free speech and First Amendment rights.

Filers split on: “The Commission should reject actions that infringe on broadcasters' First Amendment rights.”

• Roger Lasich FCCsupport — The commenter believes that the FCC's actions are an infringement on free speech, particularly regarding specific news programs.p. 1
• George Primavera FCC Publicsupport — The commenter argues that the FCC's actions represent a violation of First Amendment rights by using regulatory threats to suppress speech and intimidate broadcasters.p. 1
• Thomas White commentssupport — The commenter believes that the FCC's actions undermine democratic principles and are contrary to American values, particularly in relation to free speech.p. 1
• Renee Bryant ABC and stationssupport — The commenter believes that the FCC's threats create a precedent for censorship that endangers free speech rights for all.p. 1
• Paul Witte 2026 06 23support — The commenter argues that the FCC's actions, particularly regarding early license renewals and news exemptions, infringe upon free speech rights as protected by the First Amendment.p. 1
• Mary Bolger FCCsupport — The commenter criticizes the FCC for losing its non-partisan regulatory role and becoming an instrument of control over free speech.p. 1

The comments debate the fairness and justification of requiring early renewal applications for ABC-owned stations.

Filers split on: “The Commission should deny the requirement for early renewal applications for ABC-owned stations.”

• Judith Bass Judy ABC Renewalsupport — The commenter argues that the early-renewal applications for ABC-owned stations are unprecedented and lack a clear justification, as the licenses were not due for renewal until 2028, and highlights that the group-wide renewal process creates costs and distractions for the stations, which is unjustified even if the licenses are ultimately renewed.pp. 1, 2
• Steven Bass Steve ABC Renewalsupport — The commenter argues that requiring early renewal applications for ABC-owned stations is unprecedented and lacks a clear justification, as these licenses were not due for renewal until 2028, and highlights that the group-wide renewal process creates unnecessary costs and distractions for the stations, which is punitive even if the licenses are ultimately renewed.pp. 1, 2
• Marc Barberis ABClicense — The commenter believes that renewing ABC's license is essential for maintaining free speech and media diversity, which are vital for democracy.p. 1
• Antonio Leal KTRK Letter of Support — The commenter urges the FCC to approve the renewal application, citing the importance of ABC13's service to the community.p. 2
• George Primavera FCC Publicsupport — The commenter argues that the FCC's demand for simultaneous early renewals without notice or opportunity for ABC to respond is a violation of due process.p. 3
• William A Thompson III FCC disney license comm — The commenter supports the continuation of Disney's license to allow 6ABC to serve the public without interference.p. 1

The comments express concerns about perceived discrimination against religious broadcasters by the FCC.

Filers split on: “The Commission should reject policies that discriminate against religious broadcasting.”

• Thomas McGlinn ABC Disney The View et al MB Dosupport — The commenter expresses concern that the FCC's actions may intimidate broadcasters and argues that the government should not interfere with political discussions in media.p. 1
• George Primavera FCC Publicsupport — The commenter argues that the FCC's use of license renewal proceedings to punish broadcasters for their editorial content is not in the public interest and should be dismissed.p. 6
• One Ministriessupport — OMI expresses concern that early station renewals could be exploited by future administrations hostile to religious broadcasting, jeopardizing Christian TV and radio stations, and cites past FCC actions as evidence of a pattern of discrimination against Christian broadcasting, including a rule targeting religious non-commercial television stations. They recount negative experiences with the FCC, particularly the unfair denial of a special relief petition for KQSL, and highlight struggles with vMVPDs like Sling TV, which they view as discriminatory for refusing to carry many religious channels.p. 1
• Sandra H Fink Channel 7 — The commenter strongly supports the continued operation of ABC Channel 7 and demands that the FCC not interfere with it, while also arguing that if ABC is challenged under the 'equal time' rule, Fox News should be held to the same standard due to its perceived bias.p. 1
• Renee Bryant ABC and stations — The commenter sees standing with ABC as a broader defense of the rights of all media outlets to operate without censorship.p. 1
• American Alliance for Equal Rights — The commenter argues that the FCC's regulations already reflect a requirement for equal opportunity without regard to race, and thus the FCC has a duty to uphold these standards.p. 2

The comments question whether the FCC's actions are politically motivated and serve specific administrations rather than the public interest.

Filers split on: “The Commission should deny actions that are politically motivated and compromise its independence.”

• Roger Lasich FCCsupport — The commenter accuses the FCC of being politically motivated and serving the interests of a specific administration rather than the public.p. 1
• Mary Bolger FCCsupport — The commenter believes that the FCC's actions are politically motivated and infringe on the rights of Americans to access diverse programming.p. 1
• Paul Witte 2026 06 23support — The commenter believes that the FCC's actions are politically driven and unjustified, urging the agency to cease its scrutiny of ABC and Disney.p. 1
• David Santamaria MB Docket No. 26 131 ABC Licesupport — The commenter argues that the FCC's role is to serve the public interest and not to cater to the whims of the President, suggesting that the agency is losing its independence.p. 1
• George Primavera FCC Publicsupport — The commenter suggests that Chairman Carr's avoidance of judicial scrutiny indicates that he knows his actions cannot withstand examination.p. 6