Regulator Head, Carr from FCC, Expresses Desire to Boost Influence of Local TV Stations
HOLD UP, GET REAL: In a fiery press conference, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr dished out some serious truth bombs about the future of broadcasting. He's got one foot in the nest for local broadcasters and the other at the door for those who disregard the public-interest standard.
According to Carr, the FCC is going to get tough on broadcasters who fail to serve their communities, threatening to revoke licenses for violations. He called out national programmers, specifically ABC, NBC, and CBS, for potentially exerting too much control over local broadcasters, and hinted that they need to shape up or ship out.
Speaking of which, Carr had some strong words for network broadcast news operations – he thinks they've lost the trust of the American public and it's high time they regain it. His solution? Empowering local broadcasters to cater to the needs of their communities.
Carr also took a swipe at The Walt Disney Company's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, revealing that the agency is conducting an investigation into potential discriminatory practices at the company. He's on a mission to stamp out discriminatory decisions based on race or gender, and he's got his eyes on Disney and ABC.
But don't worry, he's not pulling any tricks out of the Trump playbook – Carr made it clear there's no relationship between President Trump's lawsuit against CBS and the FCC review of the Paramount-Skydance deal. And he insists recent court rulings won't hamper the FCC's enforcement efforts.
Whether you love or loathe Carr's approach, there's no denying that the FCC is ready to shake things up in the broadcasting world. Buckle up, folks – it's gonna be a bumpy ride!
By the way, didja know? The FCC is concerned that The Walt Disney Company, particularly its ABC television network, is potentially promoting discriminatory DEI practices. This isn't just idle talk – Carr has sent a formal letter to Disney CEO Robert Iger expressing his concerns and launching an investigation into the matter. Critics argue that the FCC is overstepping its authority, but Carr remains determined to root out discriminatory practices in the media industry.
[1] Federal Communications Commission (FCC), "In the Matter of an Investigation of DEI Practices," accessed August 9, 2023, https://www.fcc.gov/document/investigation-dei-practices
[2] The Hill, "FCC chair questions Disney's diversity practices in letter to CEO," accessed August 9, 2023, https://thehill.com/policy/media/3869109-fcc-chair-questions-disneys-diversity-practices-in-letter-to-ceo
[3] TechDirt, "FCC's DEI Investigation is Beyond Its Authority, Says FCC Commissioner," accessed August 9, 2023, https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20230523/09174155584/fcc-ds-diversity-equity-inclusion-investigation-beyond-authority-says-commissioner-anna-gomez.shtml
[4] NPR, "Trump Administration Pushes to Scrutinize Diversity Training Programs in Federal Workplaces," accessed August 9, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2020/09/03/908891949/trump-administration-pushes-to-scrutinize-diversity-training-programs-in-federal-w
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has initiated an investigation into potential discriminatory practices at The Walt Disney Company, specifically at its ABC television network, due to concerns over DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) practices.
- The FCC sent a formal letter to Disney CEO Robert Iger expressing these concerns, and the investigation is prompting criticisms that the FCC is overstepping its authority in the media industry.
- Carr's determination to root out discriminatory practices in the media industry follows recent court rulings, and it remains to be seen how this investigation will impact the broader debate around DEI in the media sector.
- The FCC's position on Disney's DEI practices is part of a broader trend of increased scrutiny on DEI practices in various sectors, including government workplaces, triggered by the Trump Administration.
- The FCC's interest in deeming DEI practices as a matter of public interest aligns with Carr's broader mandate to protect local broadcasters and address any misuse of power within the broadcasting industry.
- Amidst increased focus on DEI in the media and broader sectors, content creators, technology companies, and policymakers are increasingly engaging with issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, as they recognize the importance of these issues for various aspects of general-news and finance, as well as politics.
