NAB and Diversity Groups Disagree on EEO
Existing equal employment opportunity rules “already push the outer limits of constitutionality” and the FCC should “tread carefully” on EEO enforcement, said NAB in comments posted Monday in docket 19-177 (see 1906240028). “The existing regulatory approach is likely as effective…
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as possible,” NAB said. The Multicultural Media Telecom and Internet Council and 36 other diversity groups disagreed, offering in a joint filing a host of proposed revisions to FCC EEO enforcement. The FCC should gather EEO data from licensees, especially from those found to have failed to engage in broad recruitment; require certification that job postings occurred before hiring decisions were made; audit licensees that flagged by the EEO Commission; and open an inquiry into the lack of minorities in radio news, the diversity groups said. “EEO enforcement is a matter of the highest priority,” the joint filing said. “There is simply no evidence that increasing EEO requirements and/or reporting will meaningfully improve diversity,” NAB said. “Rather than writing new rules,” the FCC should increase outreach about job openings and "reduce unnecessary burdens on broadcasters, especially small stations,” NAB said. America's Communication Association said the agency shouldn't expand EEO enforcement, and should ensure “protections for smaller MVPDs in Commission audits and investigations are preserved.” If the FCC relaxes the employment unit threshold for EEO reporting for broadcasters, it should do the same for MVPDs, ACA said.