FCC Chairman Warns Disney Over DEI Policies
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr indicated that Disney might face penalties if its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices are determined to be discriminatory.
During a conversation with Miranda Devine, Carr expressed concerns about the Biden administration’s DEI initiatives, claiming they have meaningfully impacted broadcasting. “It had real, real consequences. So from day one, we stepped in and ended the FCC’s push for DEI,” he stated.
Carr suggested that Disney and similar companies could incur fines if their DEI strategies are found to discriminate based on race or gender. He pointed out that “Disney owns ABC” and noted troubling evidence suggesting that Disney’s DEI approach may have led to discrimination.
“We’re still considering it. We’re willing to acknowledge their claims and have an open mind about it. But we’re currently conducting an investigation regarding Disney’s DEI practices,” he mentioned, adding that the findings could result in serious repercussions for the company.
Carr also highlighted evidence hinting at biased promotion opportunities linked to race and gender at Disney. He noted, “There is evidence that they created internal promotions, internal work groups, and siloed and divided people based on race and gender.” He added that there may also be evidence suggesting that promotional opportunities were influenced by racial factors.
The situation perplexed Carr, who reflected, “This is really baffling because I thought we stopped doing that as a country 60, 70, 80 years ago.” He emphasized the importance of judging individuals based on their merits rather than physical characteristics.
Additionally, Carr mentioned that Disney’s current policies might be negatively affecting its box office performance. He described this issue as indicative of a broader media landscape that seems out of alignment.
“New York and Hollywood were never known for their cross-country vibrancy, but things got even worse between the late 1910s and early 2020s, when we saw a huge explosion of DEI and woke ideology, hook, line and sinker, fully embraced by New York and Hollywood,” he concluded.
