ABC News has accused the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of orchestrating an intimidation campaign against media outlets critical of President Donald Trump, using the threat of revoked broadcast licenses.

In a court filing on Thursday, the Disney-owned company revealed the FCC's decision to conduct an early license review of eight ABC stations. This action, ABC argues, serves as a warning to other news organizations whose coverage the president deems unfavorable.

"The retaliation against ABC is a signal to every media company in the country: accommodate the administration’s view of what news coverage should look like or pay the price," ABC stated in its filing. The company further asserted that the FCC is aiming to create "a media industry too fearful of official reprisal to report the news freely."

Supporters of press freedom have expressed concerns that such aggressive tactics could stifle free speech, a right protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The early review of ABC's licenses, which were not due for renewal until October 2028, is seen by critics as a tool for exerting pressure on companies at odds with the Trump administration's priorities.

The FCC's decision to initiate the early review, a move not undertaken in over 50 years, was announced shortly after President Trump called for ABC to dismiss late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The FCC cited an investigation into the company's diversity policies as the reason for the review.

President Trump has openly advocated for regulators to revoke licenses of news outlets that publish coverage critical of his administration and its allies. This stance has been evident in his past actions, including a $10 billion lawsuit filed against the BBC and defamation lawsuits against The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Just last week, the Department of Justice withdrew subpoenas that sought testimony from New York Times journalists regarding their reporting on the safety features of Trump's new Air Force One plane. This withdrawal followed significant backlash from press freedom advocates.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and media organizations, raising questions about the balance between presidential influence and the independence of the press in the United States.