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Articles by Jim Rutenberg
Battle between Disney and the FCC moves to the courts
Posted Tuesday, October 6, 2026 11:27 am For months, the Walt Disney Company and President Trump’s Federal Communications Commission have traded accusations in a battle over the company’s free speech rights and its local broadcast stations. Now they are taking their conflict to federal court.
Battle Between Disney and the F.C.C. Moves to the Courts
Now A federal court in Washington, D.C., is to play host to a legal battle Tuesday morning pitting the Walt Disney Co. against the nation's chief broadcast regulator over just how far First Amendment protections can go during the presidency of Donald Trump. FCC's lone Democrat says Disney 'has found its …
Battle Between Disney and the F.C.C. Moves to the Courts
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Battle Between Disney and the F.C.C. Moves to the Courts On Tuesday, a federal judge will begin hearing arguments in Disney’s effort to stop the agency from reviewing its broadcast licenses.
Cómo Trump utiliza el poder para reprimir la libertad de expresión
El Departamento de Justicia ha enviado agentes del FBI a los hogares de periodistas para entregar citaciones y, en al menos un caso, mostró una orden judicial para confiscar dispositivos. El Pentágono ha despedido al editor y al director de su periódico tradicionalmente independiente, Stars and Stripes, y bloqueó el acceso a otros periodistas que se negaron a firmar compromisos que limitarían sus reportajes.
Cómo Trump utiliza el poder para reprimir la libertad de expresión
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. El Departamento de Justicia ha enviado agentes del FBI a los hogares de periodistas para entregar citaciones y, en al menos un caso, mostró una orden judicial para confiscar dispositivos.
How Trump Is Wielding Power to Stifle Speech
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. The Justice Department has sent F.B.I. agents to reporters’ homes to serve subpoenas and, in at least one case, flashed a warrant to seize devices. The Pentagon has fired the editor and publisher of its traditionally independent newspaper, Stars and Stripes, and blocked access to other journalists who refused to sign pledges that would limit their reporting.
How Trump Is Wielding Power to Stifle Speech
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. The Justice Department hassent F.B.I. agents to reporters’ homes to serve subpoenas and, in at least one case, flashed a warrant to seize devices. The Pentagon has fired the editor and publisher of its traditionally independent newspaper, Stars and Stripes, and blocked access to other journalists who refused to sign pledges that would limit their reporting.
How Trump Is Wielding Power to Stifle Speech
18 hours ago The Houthi advance is bad news for the U.S., and even worse news for Saudi Arabia. As recently as last week, the Iran war appeared to be turning slightly in America’s favor. The Houthis—the Yemen-based militia that is Iran’s most formidable remaining ally in the Middle East—were under pressure from …
Maria Bartiromo’s downfall at an increasingly cautious Fox News
In July, as President Donald Trump was preparing a primetime speech on election security, word went out from executives at Fox News: The network would avoid covering his stock claims about a stolen election. Fox had landed in serious legal trouble in 2021 after amplifying false assertions by Trump’s allies about vote-stealing election machines, culminating in an extraordinary $787 million defamation settlement.
Maria Bartiromo’s Downfall at an Increasingly Cautious Fox News
Artificial Intelligence Now MARK HALPERIN: Social media damaged a generation. Are we about to let AI do the same? Fox News - Mark Halperin • 23m Imagine: two hundred aliens land on Earth, with thousands and thousands more of them expected in looming, unstoppable waves. And imagine, too, that we know some of the aliens are here to help us, to make our planet better, smarter, and more efficient.
Maria Bartiromo’s Downfall at an Increasingly Cautious Fox News
Maria Bartiromo’s Downfall at an Increasingly Cautious Fox News The network this week took Maria Bartiromo off the air, pulling one of the last hosts whose coverage of Dominion Voting Systems drew an expensive defamation lawsuit. Maria Bartiromo was among the Fox hosts whose coverage regarding conspiracy theories about Dominion voting machines was cited in a defamation lawsuit. Credit...Brendan McDermid/Reuters Sept.
FCC Asks Court to Toss ABC Suit Over Broadcast Licenses
The Federal Communications Commission asked the federal court in Washington on Thursday to dismiss a lawsuit from ABC, disputing the network’s claim that the agency was conducting an “extraordinary assault” against its free speech rights. ABC sued the FCC last month over its efforts to possibly strip the network’s local broadcasting licenses.
FCC asks court to toss ABC suit over broadcast licenses
Posted Friday, September 4, 2026 10:26 am The Federal Communications Commission asked the federal court in Washington on Thursday to dismiss a lawsuit from ABC, disputing the network’s claim that the agency was conducting an “extraordinary assault” against its free speech rights. ABC sued the FCC last month over its efforts to possibly strip the network’s local broadcasting licenses.
F.C.C. Asks Court to Toss ABC Suit Over Broadcast Licenses
F.C.C. Asks Court to Toss ABC Suit Over Broadcast Licenses The network sued the agency last month to stop it from taking steps that could force ABC stations off the air. The F.C.C. said the lawsuit was premature. The Federal Communications Commission, which is led by Brendan Carr, said in a filing that ABC was trying to use a federal court to short-circuit the regulatory process. Credit...Eric Lee for The New York Times Sept.
ABC Sues F.C.C. to Block Threat to Its TV Licenses
ABC sues FCC over challenge to its broadcast licenses, saying actions present 'existential threat' Further escalating its battle with the Trump administration, ABC on Tuesday took the rare step of suing the Federal Communications Commission on First Amendment grounds, saying the agency’s demand for early review of broadcast licenses posed an “existential threat” to its operations. In the lawsuit, …
ABC sues FCC to block threat to its TV licenses
Posted Tuesday, August 18, 2026 9:28 am ABC on Tuesday sued the Federal Communications Commission, accusing the agency of infringing on its First Amendment rights. It asked a federal court to stop the F.C.C. from pursuing aggressive regulatory moves that the network said posed an “existential threat” to its operations.
ABC Sues F.C.C. to Block Threat to Its TV Licenses
ABC Sues F.C.C. to Block Threat to Its TV Licenses The network asked a court to stop the agency from taking steps that could force ABC stations off the air and accused the F.C.C. of violating its First Amendment rights. An ABC News reporter prepares to broadcast from outside the New York Stock Exchange.Credit...Karsten Moran for The New York Times Aug. 18, 2026, 8:53 a.m. ET ABC on Tuesday sued the Federal Communications Commission, accusing the agency of infringing on its First Amendment rights.
ABC Sues F.C.C. to Block Threat to Its TV Licenses
ABC Sues F.C.C. to Block Threat to Its TV Licenses The network asked a court to stop the agency from taking steps that could force ABC stations off the air and accused the F.C.C. of violating its First Amendment rights. An ABC News reporter prepares to broadcast from outside the New York Stock Exchange.Credit...Karsten Moran for The New York Times Aug. 18, 2026, 8:53 a.m. ET ABC on Tuesday sued the Federal Communications Commission, accusing the agency of infringing on its First Amendment rights.
Five Takeaways From the Times Investigation Into Larry Ellison’s A.I. Gamble
Oracle 1 hour ago Larry Ellison Bet It All on the A.I. Boom. Will He Be the Face of the A.I. Bubble? The New York Times - Jonathan Mahler, Jim Rutenberg, Kirsten Grind • 1h On Jan. 21, 2025 — the first full day of the second Trump administration — Larry Ellison woke up in his 33-bedroom, 34-bathroom oceanfront mansion in Florida, got into his Gulfstream jet and headed up to Washington.
Larry Ellison Bet It All on the A.I. Boom. Will He Be the Face of the A.I. Bubble?
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. On Jan. 21, 2025 — the first full day of the second Trump administration — Larry Ellison woke up in his 33-bedroom, 34-bathroom oceanfront mansion in Florida, got into his Gulfstream jet and headed up to Washington. Ellison, who was 80 and worth in the neighborhood of $200 billion, had an appointment at the White House.
Five Takeaways From the Times Investigation Into Larry Ellison’s A.I. Gamble
Last September, Larry Ellison briefly became the richest person in the world, after steering Oracle, the data and software storage company he founded, into the new world of A.I. But Ellison’s big bet on A.I. was built on an astronomical amount of debt — with implications far beyond the company.
Is ‘The View’ a news show? ABC says that’s already settled.
Posted Wednesday, July 8, 2026 10:56 am ABC on Monday urged federal regulators to stick with a decision their predecessors made two decades ago that called “The View,” the network’s popular talk show, a news program. The Federal Communications Commission has been investigating whether the show violated rules that require broadcasters to give equal time to political candidates from both parties.
Is ‘The View’ a News Show? ABC Says That’s Already Settled.
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Is ‘The View’ a News Show? ABC Says That’s Already Settled.
Is 'The View' a News Show? ABC Says That's Already Settled.
ABC on Monday urged federal regulators to stick with a decision their predecessors made two decades ago that called "The View," the network's popular talk show, a news program. The Federal Communications Commission has been investigating whether the show violated rules that require broadcasters to give equal time to political candidates from both parties. At the center of the debate is whether "The View" qualifies as a "bona fide news program," which would exempt it from those rules.
A Murdoch Builds His Own Media Empire. Is This ‘Succession’ or Secession?
A Murdoch Builds His Own Media Empire. Is This ‘Succession’ or Secession? James Murdoch says acquiring New York magazine and Vox has nothing to do with his father. But in some ways, it’s a tribute. Credit...Photo illustration by Chantal Jahchan Jim Rutenberg has reported on the Murdoch family for nearly three decades and across three continents. He spoke with James Murdoch for this article.
ABC accuses Trump administration of threatening its broadcast licenses
The ABC television network on Thursday issued a rigorous defense of its right to broadcast, accusing the Federal Communications Commission of threatening its station licenses as part of a campaign of “unconstitutional retaliation and coercion.” Its accusation came in a formal response to a highly unusual move by the FCC in April ordering ABC to apply to renew its broadcasting licenses years before they are set to expire.
ABC Accuses Trump Administration of Threatening Its Broadcast Licenses Original
ABC Accuses Trump Administration of Threatening Its Broadcast Licenses The TV network on Thursday slammed the Federal Communications Commission, saying it was targeting its station licenses in a campaign of “unconstitutional retaliation.” The filing marked the second time this month that ABC had accused the F.C.C. of violating its free speech rights because of what it has called “speech the government does not like.”Credit...Mario Anzuoni/Reuters May 28, 2026, 6:46 p.m. ET The ABC television...
How ‘The View’ landed at the center of a free speech battle
President Trump’s wide-ranging campaign to punish his perceived media critics has come for newspapers like The Wall Street Journal, The Des Moines Register and The New York Times; broadcast outlets like the BBC, NBC News and CBS News; and the late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert.
How ‘The View’ landed at the center of a free speech battle
President Donald Trump’s wide-ranging campaign to punish his perceived media critics has come for newspapers including The Wall Street Journal, the Des Moines Register and The New York Times; broadcast outlets such as the BBC, NBC News and CBS News; and late-night hosts Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert.
How ‘The View’ Landed at the Center of a Free Speech Battle
How ‘The View’ Landed at the Center of a Free Speech Battle The Trump administration’s focus on the show is testament to the enduring influence of an old-fashioned broadcast TV program started 29 years ago. The hosts of ABC’s “The View,” from left, Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Joy Behar, Ana Navarro, Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin.
How 'The View' Landed at the Center of a Free Speech Battle
President Donald Trump's wide-ranging campaign to punish his perceived media critics has come for newspapers, broadcast outlets and late-night hosts.
ABC accuses government of violating First Amendment
ABC has accused the Federal Communications Commission of violating its free speech rights, potentially setting the stage for a protracted, high-stakes legal battle between the network and the Trump administration. The company said in a filing with the agency that regulators had a “chilling effect” on free speech by trying to punish political content they disagreed with.
ABC Accuses Government of Violating First Amendment Original
ABC Accuses Government of Violating First Amendment The network’s argument, made to the F.C.C., is the most aggressive posture taken yet by a television network toward the Trump administration. The filing on Friday was registered on behalf of a single ABC station in Houston and involved a minor regulatory dispute over the talk show “The View,” which regularly hosts politicians and cultural figures.
ABC Accuses Government of Violating First Amendment
ABC has accused the Federal Communications Commission of violating its free speech rights, potentially setting the stage for a protracted, high-stakes legal battle between the network and the Trump administration. The company said in a filing with the agency that regulators had a "chilling effect" on free speech by trying to punish political content they disagreed with.
ABC Accuses Government of Violating First Amendment
ABC has accused the Federal Communications Commission of violating its free speech rights, potentially setting the stage for a protracted, high-stakes legal battle between the network and the Trump administration. The company said in a filing with the agency that regulators had a "chilling effect" on free speech by trying to punish political content they disagreed with.
ABC Accuses Government of Violating First Amendment
12 hours ago Watch as the crowd erupts in cheers as Kamala Harris blasts Donald Trump’s “bulls**t” war in Iran. Speaking at an event with Nevada Democrats in Las Vegas on Thursday (7 May), the former vice president criticized the ongoing war, which was “not wanted by the American people” nor “authorised by Congress”.
FCC Orders a Review of ABC’s Broadcast Licenses
The Federal Communications Commission ordered a review of all station licenses owned by ABC, an extraordinary move to pressure a major television network whose programming has frequently angered President Trump. The FCC said that the action was related to an investigation into ABC’s diversity and inclusion policies. But it came in the middle of a fight this week between President Trump and the network’s late night host, Jimmy Kimmel, that prompted the president to demand that ABC fire Kimmel.
FCC Orders a Review of ABC’s Broadcast Licenses
Federal regulators Tuesday ordered a review of all station licenses owned by ABC, an extraordinary move to pressure a major television network whose programming has frequently angered President Donald Trump. The agency overseeing the review, the Federal Communications Commission, said in a filing that the review was related to an investigation into ABC’s diversity and inclusion policies.
FCC orders a review of ABC’s broadcast licenses
Federal regulators Tuesday ordered a review of all station licenses owned by ABC, an extraordinary move to pressure a major television network whose programming has frequently angered President Donald Trump. The agency overseeing the review, the Federal Communications Commission, said in a filing that the action was related to an investigation into ABC’s diversity and inclusion policies.
F.C.C. Orders a Review of ABC’s Broadcast Licenses Original
F.C.C. Orders a Review of ABC’s Broadcast Licenses The agency said the review was related to the network’s diversity and inclusion policies. But it came amid a fight between the president and the network’s late night host, Jimmy Kimmel.
FCC Orders a Review of ABC's Broadcast Licenses
Federal regulators Tuesday ordered a review of all station licenses owned by ABC, an extraordinary move to pressure a major television network whose programming has frequently angered President Donald Trump. The agency overseeing the review, the Federal Communications Commission, said in a filing that the review was related to an investigation into ABC's diversity and inclusion policies.
FCC Orders a Review of ABC's Broadcast Licenses
Federal regulators Tuesday ordered a review of all station licenses owned by ABC, an extraordinary move to pressure a major television network whose programming has frequently angered President Donald Trump. The agency overseeing the review, the Federal Communications Commission, said in a filing that the review was related to an investigation into ABC's diversity and inclusion policies.
Inside the Government’s Crackdown on TV
Alex SternRikki NovetskyMary Wilson and Rob Szypko and Pat McCuskerMarion LozanoDan PowellRowan Niemisto and This past weekend, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission threatened to revoke broadcasters’ licenses over their coverage of the war in Iran. Last month, Stephen Colbert said he had to drop an interview with a Senate candidate because of F.C.C. guidance that targeted political interviews on late-night shows.
How Trump is upending who can be a guest on late-night TV
In October 2006, while seeking reelection as California’s Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” on NBC. It seemed innocent enough: Schwarzenegger had been a guest on Leno’s show many times, and the two Hollywood stars enjoyed a warm relationship.
How Trump Is Upending Who Can Be a Guest on Late-Night TV
In October 2006, while seeking reelection as California's Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" on NBC. It seemed innocent enough: Schwarzenegger had been a guest on Leno's show many times, and the two Hollywood stars enjoyed a warm relationship. kAmqFE $49H2CK6?6886CVD s6>@4C2E:4 @AA@?6?E AC@E6DE65 E96 2AA62C2?46 E@ E96 u656C2= r@>>F?:42E:@?D r@>>:DD:@? 2?5 56>2?565 E92E }qr 8:G6 9:> `d >:?FE6D @7 2:CE:>6 :? C6EFC?[ 4:E:?8 2 CF=6 :?
Trump Administration Uses ‘Equal Time’ Rule to Reshape Late-Night TV Original
In October 2006, while seeking re-election as California’s Republican governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” on NBC. It seemed innocent enough: Mr. Schwarzenegger had been a guest on Mr. Leno’s show many times, and the two Hollywood stars enjoyed a warm relationship.
Federal Regulators Take New Aim at Late-Night TV
The Trump administration is opening a new front against late-night comedy, announcing plans to enforce long-dormant rules on appearances by political candidates on network talk shows. kAm&?56C ?6H 8F:52?46 C6=62D65 (65?6D52J[ E96 u656C2= r@>>F?:42E:@?D r@>>:DD:@? H2C?65 E92E 6?E6CE2:?>6?E\@C:6?E65 E2=< D9@HD 42CC:65 @? =@42= E6=6G:D:@?
Federal regulators take new aim at late-night TV
The Trump administration is opening a new front against late-night comedy, announcing plans to enforce long-dormant rules on appearances by political candidates on network talk shows. Under new guidance released Wednesday, the Federal Communications Commission warned that entertainment-oriented talk shows carried on local television stations were required to offer candidates vying for the same office equal airtime.
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