Former ABC journalists urge Disney’s Iger to defend free speech after Kimmel suspension

More than 100 former ABC News journalists urged Disney CEO Bob Iger to defend free speech and press freedom after ABC briefly suspended Jimmy Kimmel over remarks suggesting that Charlie Kirk’s killer might have been a MAGA conservative. The letter, drafted last week in the wake of Kimmel’s suspension, called for a concerted effort to defend core democratic values and to push back against political intimidation of the press. The group argued that the First Amendment is not negotiable and that ABC’s credibility and Disney’s reputation depend on unwavering leadership in defense of journalistic independence.

The signees include veteran correspondents such as Sam Donaldson and Judy Muller, and Kaycee Freed Jennings, the widow of Peter Jennings. The letter was led by former ABC News executives Lisa Stark and Ian Cameron. In it, the authors urged Iger to take a stand that would set a clear example for public broadcasters and media companies under political pressure. “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,” the letter said, adding that “The First Amendment is not negotiable.” The group framed the issue as a test of leadership to defend democratic values amid partisan tensions.

ABC’s suspension of Kimmel occurred last week, just hours after FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned that regulators could act if networks deemed critical of the administration were not held to account. Nexstar and Sinclair, which together own more than 60 ABC affiliates, also pulled Kimmel’s show from local airwaves. Nexstar is currently pursuing FCC approval for its $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna. Separately, ABC agreed last year to pay $15 million toward Donald Trump’s presidential library to settle a defamation suit over an on-air claim about Trump’s civil liability, a development the former ABC journalists note as having potentially influenced the broader rhetoric against the network.

Kimmel returned to his show on Tuesday, stating that political intimidation should not dictate ABC’s programming. While the host did not apologize for the remarks that sparked the dispute, his return was described by the ex-ABC journalists as an important first step toward reaffirming press independence. The letter’s signatories praised Iger’s decision to bring Kimmel back but insisted that the response must go further, calling for durable leadership that resists attempts to influence editorial choices through political pressure.

The Trump administration weighed in on the matter as well. In a Truth Social post published shortly before Kimmel’s return, Trump praised the suspension and then criticized ABC for reversing it, writing that “ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back” and alleging the network had been told by ABC that the show was cancelled. He also accused Kimmel of an illegal campaign contribution. The former ABC journalists cited such episodes as illustrating the “political intimidation” they say must be confronted by leadership at Disney.

The controversy has also connected to broader government policy on media access. ABC News and others have covered evolving rules that critics describe as constraining journalism in the name of security or public interest. Jon Karl, ABC News’ chief Washington correspondent, characterized recent moves as part of a troubling pattern, saying that some steps resembled actions you might associate with authoritarian regimes and that the public interest obligation of networks under their TV licenses remains essential to democratic accountability.

Carr has denied that his calls for action against Kimmel were driven by anti-Trump sentiment, arguing that ABC’s duty to serve the public interest under its license requires rigorous coverage. He stressed that Kimmel’s segment appeared to mislead viewers and that decisive action might be warranted when a network’s reporting is perceived as compromising journalistic standards.

As the debate over free speech and media independence intensifies, the ex-ABC journalists’ letter emphasizes that defending the free press is not a partisan act but a core democratic obligation. They urged Iger to “stand firmly against capitulation” and to demonstrate that Disney and its media properties will not allow political pressure to dictate programming decisions. The group’s message concludes with the assertion that “The First Amendment is not negotiable,” and that ABC’s credibility—and Disney’s reputation—depend on leadership that defends free expression for journalists and the public they serve.