OCA Deeply Concerned by Disney’s ABC Censorship of Jimmy Kimmel

For Immediate Release
September 19, 2025 

Media Contact: 
Socheata Sun, Senior Communications Associate
socheata.sun@ocanational.org

Washington, D.C. — OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates condemns Disney’s ABC censorship of Jimmy Kimmel, an alarming act that undermines the core values of free speech and open expression. By silencing critical voices, Disney’s ABC is betraying its responsibility to the public and eroding the democratic ideals it claims to uphold.

The United States has long criticized governments around the world for suppressing journalists, artists, and public figures. Yet, the same kind of censorship that American leaders would admonish abroad is now taking place here at home—on national networks watched by millions of Americans. Such actions blur the line between corporate decision-making and state-sanctioned suppression, raising serious concerns about the integrity and independence of media institutions.

“A free press and open expression are cornerstones of our democracy, enshrined in the First Amendment,” said Thu Nguyen, Executive Director of OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates. “When powerful platforms like ABC censor Jimmy Kimmel and CBS cancels Stephen Colbert, they create a chilling effect that extends far beyond late-night television. Kimmel’s comments, as a comedian, addressed a newsworthy event and are precisely the type of expression fully protected under the First Amendment. This is not simply about two hosts; it is about protecting the right of all people to speak truth to power without fear of being silenced.”

OCA calls on Disney’s ABC to reverse course immediately and reaffirm its commitment to free expression, transparency, and accountability. Anything less places our democracy on a dangerous path toward the very censorship denounced in other nations.

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About OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates

Founded in 1973, OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national, member-driven social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.