Disney’s ABC calls FCC’s license review a threat to speech. What to know about the feud.

Disney’s ABC on Thursday complied with the Federal Communications Commission’s order to file for early license renewals for its eight local broadcast stations but pushed back on the regulatory agency’s demands, calling them unconstitutional.

In a strongly worded filing, ABC said it was complying “under protest,” describing the FCC’s order as an “effort to suppress speech under the guise of bureaucratic process.” Requesting early renewals is unusual and often seen as a sign that the agency is preparing to challenge an owner’s fitness to hold a broadcast license.