The Federal Communications Commission is probing ABC Network’s The View after a recent interview it conducted with Democratic Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, according to Fox News.
Talarico, a Texas state representative, appeared on The View on Feb. 2, where he spoke about his primary race against Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) and his desire to continue fighting “against Christian nationalism” in the Senate. His appearance on the show is what prompted the FCC’s inquiry, as the agency announced last month that it is cracking down on its “statutory equal opportunities requirement.”
The FCC cited the Communications Act of 1934 in this crackdown, which includes broadcast stations giving equal access to “legally qualified candidates for office,” regardless of political affiliation.
The FCC states in its public notice that it hasn’t been presented with any evidence that an interview portion by any late-night or daytime television talk show program would qualify for its “bona fide news exemption.” It added that a program that is “motivated by partisan purposes” wouldn’t be entitled to an exemption.
Besides Talarico, The View also spoke with Gov. Andy Beshear (D-KY) on Monday.
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Talarico is vying to win the Texas Senate race against Crockett, who recently received the backing of former Texas Democratic Rep. Colin Allred. Should Talarico win, he will face the Republican nominee, who will either be incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, or Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX).
The Washington Examiner contacted the FCC for comment.
