Reuters: Were Jimmy Kimmel's free speech rights violated when ABC canceled his show?

[Quixote1818]

From my reading of this piece in Reuters, Jimmy Kimmel and others may indeed have a real case against the chairman of the FCC.


By Tom Hals and Daniel Wiessner
September 19, 20257:56 AM MDTUpdated 4 hours ago

WILMINGTON, DEL., Sept 18 (Reuters) - Jimmy Kimmel's late-night talk show was suspended indefinitely, opens new tab by TV broadcaster ABC on Wednesday after his comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk prompted criticism from the head of the top U.S. communications regulator against the broadcaster's parent company Walt Disney (DIS.N), opens new tab.
Below is a look at the U.S. right to free speech and whether Kimmel's rights were violated.

WHAT DID KIMMEL SAY ON HIS SHOW?
On his show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Monday, Kimmel suggested that Kirk's shooter was a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, and said "the MAGA gang" was "doing everything they can to score political points" from Kirk's assassination.
He also mocked Trump for responding to a reporter's question about his feelings about Kirk's death by talking about the construction of a new ballroom at the White House.
HOW DID THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION REACT?

More: https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/were-jimmy-kimmels-free-speech-rights-violated-when-abc-canceled-his-show-2025-09-18/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM6fbRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHjatkvOswCbaZFh73aKQUxp8sAzYqwmVzUJWhvRcazRkS0d36IQPk_4fwQTP_aem_vUbJeeAIpNklBXhwQ-a3rg

[Blues Heron]

1. Government censorship. Slime rat Brendan Carr made them an offer they couldn't refuse.

[B.See]

2. When MAGATs talk of "free speech" rights

they mean ONLY THEIR OWN.

[leftstreet]

3. The chairman didn't pressure Kimmel though

As I understand it, the FCC fucker pressured the corporation

They would have standing

[Fiendish Thingy]

4. That is the wrong question to ask

The correct question is:

Did the government exert undue influence, pressure or coercion towards ABC resulting in a chilling affect on the network and Kimmel’s free expression?

The answer is : Yes

[intheflow]

5. Yeah, this was a lazy-assed view of Kimmel's rights.

I mean, Carr says on national tv that he has a problem with Kimmel, then - miraculously! and by complete coincidence! - Kimmel is fired. I don't think it matters if the government threatened Kimmel directly. They slandered him and he lost his job because his employer is in merger negotiations that require FCC approval.

[Fiendish Thingy]

6. Focusing on the governments conduct rather than the impact on Kimmel is the proper constitutional frame

Since the Constitution refers to the conduct of the government.