The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is reportedly preparing to launch an investigation into ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, regarding its DEI policies. This news comes at a time when DEI initiatives have become a hotly debated issue in the U.S., with conservative groups pushing back against corporate diversity programs.
In an interview with Punchbowl News, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr revealed that he was in the final stages of preparing a letter to Disney that would officially kick off the investigation into ABC’s DEI practices. However, Carr didn’t specify which aspects of ABC’s diversity policies drew government interest.
According to Carr, the investigation will focus on whether ABC’s DEI efforts violate Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) rules or the public interest standard that the FCC enforces.
“Whether they’re engaged in any sort of this DEI discrimination that could run afoul of our EEO rules or potentially our public interest standard… we’re going to get to the bottom of everything that is ongoing here and stay tuned on that one,” Carr said.
Carr has been an outspoken critic of DEI programs, especially within companies regulated by the FCC. He previously sent a letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger warning about the ongoing carriage negotiations between ABC and local broadcasting networks. Carr accused ABC of leveraging its carriage negotiations to force financial and operational concessions from local TV stations, with the threat of blackouts harming viewers.
While Disney has not yet responded publicly to the investigation, it has made some recent changes to its DEI efforts. After President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Disney removed its “Reimagine Tomorrow” campaign, which aimed to highlight stories from underrepresented groups, from its website.
However, the company has not completely abandoned its DEI initiatives. At its Annual Shareholders Meeting, Disney’s board voted against a proposal to withdraw from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI), which measures workplace equality for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Do you agree with the FCC’s decision to investigate The Walt Disney Company’s DEI practices? Disney Fanatic would love to hear your opinion in the comments!
