The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is taking a bold step by initiating an investigation into Disney's diversity and inclusion practices. This move indicates a growing trend of scrutiny on media firms regarding their compliance with government regulations. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr formally notified Disney, along with its subsidiary ABC News, about this investigation in a letter sent on Friday.
Chairman Carr expressed his concerns in the letter, stating that the investigation was prompted by the belief that Disney may be promoting diversity initiatives that do not align with existing government regulations. In response, a spokesperson for Disney confirmed that the company is currently reviewing the letter and looks forward to engaging with the FCC to address its inquiries.
This investigation into Disney's practices comes at a time when there is heightened scrutiny on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, particularly under the Trump administration. Recent reports indicate that French companies with contracts from the US government also received communications from the American embassy in France, urging compliance with an executive order that bans DEI programs. This letter applies to all suppliers and service providers of the US government, emphasizing the international reach of these regulatory changes.
In his correspondence with Disney CEO Robert Iger, Chairman Carr emphasized the need to ensure that Disney ceases any discriminatory practices, stating that he wants to determine whether the company's actions—whether ongoing or recently concluded—comply with all applicable FCC regulations. Carr, a member of the FCC since 2017 and appointed by Trump in November, has been proactive in scrutinizing media companies. His efforts have included probing NPR and PBS, as well as demanding information from major tech companies like Apple and Google regarding how they influence news article rankings.
The FCC's increased scrutiny does not stop with Disney. Investigations have also been announced for major telecommunications companies like Verizon and Comcast, as well as its media unit NBCUniversal, focusing on their own DEI initiatives. These actions highlight a broader effort by the FCC to hold media firms accountable for their diversity practices.
Disney, renowned for its animated classics and theme parks, made several changes to its DEI policies earlier this year. However, concerns still linger about the effectiveness of these changes. In his letter, Carr noted reports suggesting that Disney may have scaled back some of its DEI programs, prompting further scrutiny. He aims to ensure that neither Disney nor ABC has breached FCC equal employment opportunity regulations by promoting discriminatory forms of DEI.
As the investigation unfolds, the FCC is seeking detailed information about Disney's rules governing diversity representation in its characters and various initiatives. This inquiry not only reflects the ongoing tension between media firms and government regulations but also raises important questions about the future of diversity initiatives within the entertainment industry.
