A gaggle of 100-plus former ABC News journalists has despatched a letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger urging him to make “a concerted effort to defend free speech and press freedom against political intimidation.”
The letter, obtained by NCS on Wednesday, quickly after it was delivered to Iger, was first drafted when ABC suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” final week.
Given that Disney brought Kimmel’s show back on Tuesday night time, the letter begins by commending Iger’s determination, calling it “the right call and an important statement that political intimidation should not dictate ABC’s programming.”
“Yet, it must be just the first step,” the signees say.
“Disney has both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead by standing firmly against capitulation and in defense of democratic values,” the letter says, arguing that ABC’s $16 million settlement with Trump final December emboldened the president to escalate his attacks.
“The First Amendment is not negotiable,” the letter continues. “ABC’s credibility and Disney’s reputation depend on unwavering leadership in its defense. At this critical moment, you have the chance to set a powerful example by standing up for the principles that define both our democracy and The Walt Disney Company.”
The record of signees consists of former correspondents like Sam Donaldson and Judy Muller; former govt producers like Tom Bettag; and Kayce Freed Jennings, widow of the famed ABC anchor Peter Jennings.
Former ABC correspondent Lisa Stark and former govt producer Ian Cameron, who spearheaded the letter, advised NCS that “we understand that Disney and other networks are under enormous political and economic pressure, but this is a moment where Bob Iger and others must not waver in protecting the free press and their journalists.”
Kimmel highlighted Trump’s stress against information retailers in his widely viewed monologue on Tuesday night time.
About an hour earlier than the Kimmel episode aired, Trump posted a contemporary menace against ABC on Truth Social, baselessly accusing the community of an unlawful marketing campaign contribution.