A conservative watchdog group has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deny the license renewals for eight ABC-owned television stations, alleging the network operates as a "partisan cable network" that disseminates falsehoods.

The Media Research Center (MRC) contends that ABC, owned by Disney, has abandoned its obligation to serve the public interest in exchange for the privilege of using public airwaves. In a petition submitted to the FCC, the MRC characterized ABC as "a political operation that peddles falsehoods, suppresses actual journalism, and justifies political violence."

"We finally have an FCC willing to hold Disney and ABC accountable. Broadcast licenses are a privilege, not an entitlement. In exchange for free use of the public airwaves, broadcasters agree to serve the public interest," MRC President David Bozell stated. "If ABC wants to operate like a partisan cable network, it should give up the benefits reserved for broadcast licensees. No one is above the law, and ABC should not have its broadcast licenses renewed."

The licenses for the eight ABC-affiliated stations—KFSN-TV in Fresno, KABC-TV in Los Angeles, KGO-TV in San Francisco, WLS-TV in Chicago, WABC-TV in New York, WTVD in Durham, North Carolina, WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, and KTRK-TV in Houston—were slated for renewal between 2028 and 2031. However, the FCC under Chairman Brendan Carr has expedited this review process.

According to a 27-page petition obtained by Fox News Digital, the MRC claims to have analyzed nearly 50,000 hours of ABC programming over 38 years, producing "hundreds of studies detailing ABC’s systemic bias, dishonesty, and partisan activism."

The petition cites examples of alleged bias, including criticism of ABC's role in the 2024 presidential debates and the prominent featuring of liberal guests on the daytime talk show "The View." The MRC asserts that ABC programming, which includes entertainment shows like "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" alongside news programs such as "Good Morning America," "The View," and "World News Tonight," fails to meet the public interest standard.

"As unethical as its motives may be, ABC has First Amendment rights. But it does not have a right to use public spectrum to do so. It has numerous, non-public spectrum avenues to express whatever opinions it wishes," the petition reads.

In response to the FCC's scrutiny, ABC has launched an on-air campaign in affected markets, urging viewers to support early broadcast license renewals. Advertisements declare, "The FCC is questioning our commitment to viewers by threatening to take us off the air," and encourage viewers to submit public comments through the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System.

ABC is also facing an FCC investigation into "The View" concerning equal time for political candidates. This probe was initiated after the appearance of Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico on the program. Disney argues that "The View" qualifies as a bona fide news program, exempting it from equal time regulations. The MRC disputes this, with Bozell arguing that the show operates for "partisan purposes" and advocates for Democratic candidates and liberal political priorities.

"While The View may once have qualified for an exemption, the evidence shows that it has for years operated for political purposes and is therefore not entitled to an exemption to the law," Bozell wrote in a letter to the FCC. "The View is a political operation of the Democratic Party, not a bona fide news interview program."

The MRC plans to submit 2,473 pieces of evidence to support its claim that "The View" engages in pervasive bias and electioneering, asserting that ABC misrepresented its program in its petition to the FCC and trivialized censorship concerns.

ABC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.