FCC Chair Investigates Disney Over Potential Past and Present DEI Policies
When President Donald Trump reentered office in January, he immediately set about removing all traces of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from the federal government. He signed one executive order “ending radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing” and another “ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity.”
More recently, anti-DEI efforts have moved from the government into the private sector. Last week, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr threatened Disney—which owns the ABC broadcast network—with government action over the DEI policies it no longer has, and the ones it may or may not currently have.
“I am writing to inform you that I have asked the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau to open an investigation into Disney and ABC,” Carr wrote in a letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger. “In particular, I want to ensure that Disney and ABC have not been violating FCC equal employment opportunity regulations by promoting invidious forms of DEI discrimination. While I have seen reports that Disney recently walked back some of its DEI programs, significant concerns remain.”
Disney ended certain DEI efforts in February—for example, no longer using “diversity & inclusion” as a metric of executive compensation and shortening the content advisories that played before some classic films on the Disney+ streaming service. Company insiders worried about the precedent set by capitulating to the concerns of social conservatives: “What’s next? Where do we go from here? What do we stand for now, keeping MAGA happy?” one complained to Deadline.
In fact, Carr apparently worries Disney didn’t go far enough: “I am concerned that ABC and its parent company have been or may still be promoting invidious forms of DEI in a manner that does not comply with FCC regulations,” he wrote to Iger. “Although your company recently made some changes to how it brands certain efforts, it is not clear that the underlying policies have changed in a fundamental manner—nor that past practices complied with relevant FCC regulations.” (In February, Carr sent very similar letters to the CEOs of Comcast—which owns NBCUniversal—and Verizon.)
Ca
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
