The Disney Corporation has hauled the Federal Communications Commission into federal court, seeking to stop the agency’s review of its broadcast licenses.

The escalating dispute centers specifically on ABC licenses in major television markets, as reported by Breitbart News.

The FCC has discussed its review of Disney’s broadcast licenses since April. Last month, Disney filed a lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of waging a “retaliatory campaign” through the agency’s review process.

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The case has now reached its first day in court, according to a Tuesday report from the New York Times. Disney is asking a federal judge to order the FCC to end the ongoing review.

The entertainment company argues that the review threatens its operations. The FCC, however, told Breitbart News last month that it intends to continue examining the matter.

“All broadcasters have a legal obligation to operate in the public interest—even Disney. The FCC has been examining claims that Disney engaged in illegal DEI discrimination for over a year,” the agency said in a statement.

“Disney is obviously very concerned about the FCC’s proceeding, as evidenced by their ongoing campaign of disinformation as well as their decision to ask a court to stop the FCC from further pursuing matters. The FCC will continue to follow the facts and law wherever they lead,” the statement continued.

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FCC chief Brendan Carr has focused particular attention on ABC and its public charge requirements. He has pointed to the late-night comedy program Jimmy Kimmel Live! and the daytime talk show The View.

Carr has argued that both programs have featured almost exclusively left wing content. He has also accused them of openly promoting the Democrat Party, its candidates, and its causes without providing equal time for the GOP and its candidates.

The FCC chief has additionally accused Disney of spreading disinformation through what he considers slanted news coverage. Disney rejects the agency’s position and portrays the review as a political witch hunt rather than a legitimate legal proceeding.

“This case boils down to a simple question: Can the administration use its control over the federal regulatory apparatus to punish a media organization for editorial decisions and news coverage it dislikes?” Disney’s lawsuit says.

“Because the First Amendment provides a clear answer — of course not — this court’s intervention is necessary to stop the Federal Communications Commission’s extraordinary assault on free speech,” the lawsuit continues.

Disney also contends that “the process is the punishment.” The company claims the FCC is slow-walking the broadcast license review to generate the maximum amount of negative publicity.

At the same time, Disney says it has already begun responding to the complaints through programming changes. Those steps include becoming more “circumspect” when booking guests for The View.

The company has also addressed Kimmel’s interviews with Democrat candidates. Disney says it is ensuring that some of those interviews appear only on YouTube rather than on his nightly television shows.

The federal court battle therefore places Disney’s accusations of government retaliation against the FCC’s insistence that broadcasters must operate in the public interest.

With Disney demanding judicial intervention and the agency promising to follow the matter wherever the facts and law lead, neither side is backing away.

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