Jimmy Kimmel Faces Backlash Over Remarks on Charlie Kirk Assassination
Indefinite Suspension Sparks Debate on Freedom of Expression
Disney Announces "Broadcast Resumption," Local Stations Say "Boycott"
The ABC talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live," which had been suspended due to remarks related to American right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, is set to resume broadcasting. However, it is expected that viewers in many regions will still be unable to watch the show. On September 23 (local time), Yonhap News reported, "Although Disney, the parent company of ABC, announced the resumption of the broadcast, Nexstar and Sinclair, which are among the largest local broadcast network owners in the United States, have stated they will continue to suspend the program."
Jimmy Kimmel, host of the American ABC broadcast talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live." Photo by AP Yonhap News
According to Yonhap News, local broadcasters in the United States operate by producing their own content, such as local news, while also airing content from national networks they are affiliated with, including ABC, Fox, NBC, and CBS. The companies that own these stations and networks are subject to various regulations, such as federal government reviews for frequency usage licenses.
Previously, Brendan Carr, a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), warned, "Broadcasters must operate in the public interest," and added, "If inappropriate remarks are made on broadcast programs, licenses may be revoked." Nexstar is currently pursuing the acquisition of another broadcaster, Tegna, which requires FCC approval, and this is believed to have influenced its decision.
In a statement, Nexstar said, "Last week, ABC referred to Jimmy Kimmel's remarks as 'insensitive and ill-timed.' At this critical moment for national discourse, we have decided to replace this program with alternative programming." The company added, "We will maintain this decision until we are confident that all parties are committed to fostering a respectful and constructive dialogue environment." Nexstar also stated, "Our stations will focus on producing local news and other programming that is appropriate for their respective markets."
On September 15, Jimmy Kimmel, the host of "Jimmy Kimmel Live," caused controversy when he said on air, "The MAGA crowd is desperately trying to define the person who killed Charlie Kirk as someone other than one of their own, and is doing everything possible to gain political advantage from it." Commissioner Carr took issue with Kimmel's remarks and called on local broadcasters to suspend the program, prompting ABC to announce an indefinite suspension and igniting a debate over freedom of expression.
On the 20th, a citizen protested the suspension of the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" broadcast at a rally in New York, USA. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
However, on September 22, Disney issued a statement saying, "We have had in-depth conversations with Jimmy Kimmel over the past few days, and subsequently decided to resume the program on the 23rd." According to Bloomberg News, Kimmel personally negotiated his return with Disney CEO Bob Iger and Dana Walden, co-chair of the entertainment division.
Nevertheless, since Nexstar and Sinclair, which each own about 30 and 40 ABC-affiliated stations respectively, have decided to boycott the broadcast, the program is expected to remain off the air in many regions.
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