Are Broadcast TV News Stations ABC Affiliates Allowed to Lie on Air?

The First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America provides broad protection for free speech. However, the consequences of misleading content on television can be severe. After sufficient lies, a news organization may lose its credibility, which translates to fewer viewers, advertisers, and revenue. This cycle ultimately results in fewer employees and a diminished ability to produce high-quality content.

TL;DR

I am not sure if anyone is 'allowed' to lie, but it does happen. It has always happened and will continue to happen. The best approach is to recognize the prevalence of misinformation and be diligent in your media consumption. ABC is certainly no exception.

Insight into ABC News

I regularly watch ABC news for a unique perspective, as my wife, who has dementia, relies on the ABC watermark to change the channel in the morning and evening. This gives me insight into the station's broadcasts. Local affiliates largely follow the national feed, with only slight variations in local news segments. While there have been occurrences of bias, outright lies are less common on local news shows.

National News and Entertainment Bias

On a national scale, entertainment shows such as sitcoms and reality shows usually provide harmless entertainment, so any doubts about their content can be overlooked. Talk shows, while primarily for entertainment, occasionally drift into potentially misleading territory. Opinions and entertainment programs, such as The View, are often criticized for pushing conspiracy theories and unverified information.

The Quasi-News Segment

Programs like Good Morning America and This Week blend news segments with entertainment, but frequently lean left in their reporting and guest selection. For instance, when George Stephanopoulos interviews a Clinton, it is usually a light piece meant for positive coverage. Stephanopoulos was recently called out for ignoring his role as a former Clinton aide during an interview about the Clinton Foundation. These shows often push narratives aggressively, influenced by left-leaning guests and stories.

ABC's False Narratives and Lies by Omission

ABC, despite its reputation, has not been exempt from false narratives. In 2020, the news station was involved in a legal battle over the Hunter Biden Laptop story, where they failed to report the debunked conspiracy theory. Similar issues arise with the Russian collusion narrative and the emphasis on COVID-related issues, such as hospital overruns and massive deaths. These omissions are the worst kind of lying, especially coming from a supposed news source of record.

The bottom line is that while lying may not be 'allowed', it does happen and it always will. The key is to be aware and stay diligent when consuming news from any source. ABC is just one example of a news organization that struggles with bias and credibility.