The Federal Communications Commission chair said Friday that he has launched an investigation into Disney’s diversity, equity and inclusion program in his latest attempt under the Trump administration to stop such efforts.
In a letter to Disney’s CEO Robert Iger, chairman Brendan Kerr said the company’s program to increase job diversity and promote racial-based affinity groups appears to violate equal employment opportunities regulations.
“Disney wants to ensure that virtually all discriminatory initiatives will be completed, not just the name,” Kerr said in a letter sent Thursday. “In another case, Disney’s actions – whether they’re ongoing or recently terminated, we want to determine whether they’re always in compliance with applicable FCC rules.”
A Disney spokesman said the company is reviewing the FCC letter. “We look forward to being involved with the committee to answer that question.”
Veteran Republican regulator Kerr began his tenure as FCC chair in January by launching a drastic campaign to scrutinize the media, sought to eradicate left-leaning bias and policy allegations that were corned by the president.
Last month he began a similar diversity and inclusion investigation into Comcast, the parent company of NBCuniversal. Kerr also said the agency’s merger reviews will include a survey of the company’s DEI program.
The investigation continues Presidential Order Trump was banned from “illegal and immoral” DEI programs in the federal government on his first day. A day later, Kerr announced that he would be closing his promotion of diversity and equity in the FCC’s strategic planning, budget and economic reporting.
It is unclear whether the FCC, which normally serves as a cable television watchdog, distributing licenses to broadcast television and radio stations, has the power to punish media companies for its diversity initiative. Kerr argues that a wide range of “public interest” standards can be applied to scrutiny companies such as Disney, which owns ABC and ESPN, and Disney, such as television stations around the country.
FCC experts said Kerr’s investigation could be challenged in court.
“It’s about bullying and threats,” said Andrew Schwartzman, a senior advisor to the Benton Institute for Broadband Society. Kerr’s most powerful tool is his vote on the committee to approve mergers and acquisitions, he said.
Trump nominated Kerr has launched an investigation since he chaired several news outlets, including PBS and NPR, accused him of left-leaning political bias. He investigated an interview that CBS’s “60 minutes” was conducted with former vice president Kamala Harris and released an investigation by San Francisco radio station KCBS regarding reports of immigration enforcement measures.
Kerr publicly agreed to the administration’s promise to cut regulations significantly, chase big technology, and punish television networks for political bias. Kerr is restructuring independent bodies, expanding its duties and using it as a political weapon of rights, Telecommunications lawyers and analysts said.
Brooks Burns Contributed with a report from Los Angeles.
Source: www.nytimes.com
