FCC Targets Comcast, NBCUniversal First in Probe of Communications' DEI Programs
Comcast confirmed Tuesday that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has asked the Enforcement Bureau to launch a probe of its and subsidiary NBCUniversal’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs to determine if they violate equal employment opportunity laws. The move is Carr’s latest foray against U.S. broadcasters, including probes of CBS, NPR and PBS (see 2502050063 and 2501300065), since he became FCC chairman Jan. 20. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., railed against the FCC and other federal agencies Tuesday for collectively “waging a relentless war on online speech and independent journalism” in the weeks since President Donald Trump returned to office last month.
Carr reportedly said in a letter to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts that he wants the EB to “ensure that your companies are not promoting invidious forms of discrimination in violation of FCC regulations and civil rights laws.” He indicated that the probe is the start of a broader investigation into whether companies under FCC jurisdiction are ending “invidious forms of DEI discrimination” following Trump’s January executive order halting federal DEI efforts (see 2501210070). Carr promptly cited the Communications Act as the legal basis for ending DEI policies at the FCC, including axing the Communications Equity and Diversity Council and the Digital Discrimination Task Force.
“I am starting this broader effort with Comcast and NBCUniversal” because “there is substantial evidence that your companies are still engaging in the promotion of DEI,” Carr told Roberts. Comcast and its affiliates also “cover a range of sectors regulated by the FCC -- from cable to high-speed internet and from broadcast TV stations to [mobile virtual network operator] wireless offerings.” Comcast’s DEI program “cannot be squared with any reasonable interpretation of federal law,” Carr said.
“Comcast states on its website that promoting DEI is 'a core value of our business' and public reports state that Comcast has an entire 'DEI infrastructure' that includes annual 'DEI day[s],' 'DEI training for company leaders,' and similar initiatives,” Carr said. “NBCUniversal has similar DEI initiatives, including executives specifically dedicated to promoting DEI across the TV and programming side of the business.”
Gomez: Stoking 'Culture Wars'
A Comcast spokesperson said the company has received Carr’s inquiry and “will be cooperating with the FCC to answer their questions. For decades, our company has been built on a foundation of integrity and respect for all of our employees and customers.”
Democratic FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez decried the latest FCC probe. “Stoking partisan culture wars is not the FCC’s job,” she said in a statement. “It is time we return to our core mission -- closing the digital divide, fostering innovation, and protecting consumers.” United Church of Christ Office of Communication Policy Adviser Cheryl Leanza said the Trump administration “has unfortunately chosen unlawful bullying and threats across the board, instead of sound decision-making in accordance with the law.” The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters and NCTA didn’t comment.
Everyone “deserves the freedom to be themselves and contribute their talents in their workplace -- and no one knows that better than our nation’s leading media and telecommunications companies,” Leanza told us in an email. “Creating respectful workplaces where everyone can contribute their best is a proven track record for vibrant and successful businesses. No matter someone’s race, gender, or ZIP code, workers want a chance to show they can contribute to a successful enterprise. Companies that continue to ensure all employees are welcome to succeed will see benefits to their bottom line [and] deserve our praise and shareholder dollars, not criticism.”
Markey said at the Tuesday State of the Net event (see 2502110052) that the FCC, FTC and Trump administration are “using carrots and sticks to pressure Big Tech platforms to adopt content moderation policies that promote conservative viewpoints” and “have made regulating the speech of online platforms one of their top priorities. They claim to be waging a campaign against censorship,” but “it's really a campaign of censorship.” Big Tech “platforms have been all too happy to capitulate to the Trump administration” amid threats against Communications Decency Act Section 230’s liability shield and “promises of fewer regulations and tax cuts,” Markey said.