ABC released a 20-second campaign spot for The View on June 22, urging viewers to scan a QR code and weigh in by July 6 in a dispute with the FCC led by Brendan Carr over whether the show still qualifies for a long-standing broadcast exemption.
On a quiet stretch of the afternoon, ABC dropped a new 20-second plea and put it in the hands of The View’s viewers.
Today, June 22, the network made the spot available to watch online. It begins with a clip of Barbara Walters laying out the original idea for the talk show, describing it as a program for “different women” with “different points of view.”
A narrator then steps in with a direct call to action: “The View has welcomes your favorite guests and covered the issues you care about for nearly 30 years now. The FCC wants to control who is allowed to appear on the show. Viewers, use your voice.”
The message ends with instructions for viewers to scan a QR code to act, with a deadline set for July 6.
At the center of the scramble is a dispute between ABC and the Federal Communications Commission. which is led by Brendan Carr. over whether The View should continue to qualify for a long-standing exemption from certain broadcast rules. ABC’s position is that the government’s review could interfere with editorial independence and free speech.
The FCC’s counter is that it is examining whether the program still meets the requirements for that exemption.
The stakes have been sharpened by the history of ABC’s clashes with the agency, including what went down with Jimmy Kimmel last year—an episode that has kept FCC tensions in the spotlight for the network.
The View ABC FCC dispute Brendan Carr Barbara Walters editorial independence free speech QR code July 6 campaign video
So basically they want us to scan a QR code because the FCC is being mean again?
I don’t even watch The View but the headline sounds like government trying to control women’s opinions?? That’s wild. Also QR codes feel like a scam half the time.
Wait, Brendan Carr is the FCC guy right? Isn’t he the one who made it so they can’t curse on TV or whatever? If that’s the case then yeah, of course ABC is gonna call it free speech.
I saw something about Jimmy Kimmel and figured this is like the same fight, like “FCC doesn’t want jokes” or whatever. These exemptions have been around forever, so why suddenly now? QR code by July 6 sounds like a manufactured outrage thing, but I guess if it’s really about editorial independence then let them talk how they want.