Sept. 19, 2025 6 AM PT
To the editor: It’s fascinating how shortly firms are inclined to affix in on the cancel tradition so outstanding in our each day on-line, usually nameless social media lives (“ABC drops ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ indefinitely over host’s Charlie Kirk remarks,” Sept. 17). There’s apparently no room to pause, take into account and digest the occasions of the day. It will be prudent to weigh the info, take into account the proof and focus on the results.
That doesn’t appear to be the present plan of action by the foremost firms whose positions of energy and privilege are important. I, for one, will take into account ending my monetary contributions to ABC and Disney except they’ll state with transparency and accuracy any intentions to restrict speech on their worthwhile platforms.
Is free speech now not included in our mission? Am I to actually conclude the company choices are made wholly on a monetary equation and never based mostly on the political favor of the get together in energy? Please communicate with a transparent and unequivocal voice, ABC.
Gina Szilak, Santa Monica
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To the editor: I’m deeply dissatisfied by ABC’s determination to “indefinitely” drop Jimmy Kimmel’s present. He has been greater than a comic — he has been a trusted voice who supplied laughter, honesty and perspective throughout troublesome occasions. Silencing that voice doesn’t simply have an effect on him; it impacts all of us.
Late-night comedy has at all times challenged concepts and mirrored tradition, even when uncomfortable. Suppressing a voice as a result of it’s controversial undermines free expression and open dialogue. Historical past exhibits that when speech is curtailed, societies transfer towards conformity and management — the highway to dictatorship, not democracy. I’m now contemplating not watching my native affiliate channels anymore due to this determination. I can’t help any station that operates on this method.
Andrea Herron, Pismo Seaside
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To the editor: What Kimmel really stated on the air in regards to the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk is irrelevant. Free speech is free speech. However only for the report, Kimmel didn’t actually say something about Kirk. What he did was name out MAGA’s politicization of his demise, query the depth of the president’s grieving course of and make a joke about it — which, by the best way, is his job. Federal Communications Fee Chair Brendan Carr then made a not-so-veiled threat — which, by the best way, just isn’t his job — simply as Nexstar seeks FCC approval for a multibillion-dollar merger with Tegna. That’s all it took for ABC/Disney to drag the plug.
It isn’t at all times doable to see the second when the tide turns in a rustic’s historical past, a lot much less to do something about it. If you end up within the water, the very best technique is to remain calm and keep afloat.
Bart Braverman, Indio
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To the editor: Kimmel’s comment that “the MAGA gang [is] desperately attempting to characterize this child who murdered Charlie Kirk as something apart from one among them” was not a joke. It was not commentary. It was merely a lie meant to disparage supporters of President Trump.
John Amato, Sherman Oaks
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To the editor: In case you are like me and also you want your Kimmel repair each evening, there could also be just one method to make that occur. Cease watching ABC, cease shopping for any merchandise which are closely marketed on ABC and cease subscribing to Disney+ and Hulu. Most significantly, allow them to know why. It looks as if the one factor these corporations actually care about is the almighty greenback. On this nation, we will make our personal choices on what media to eat. We should take again our energy. It’s our constitutional proper.
Linda Cooper, Studio Metropolis
