The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is opening an investigation into Disney’s diversity and inclusion practices, citing concerns over compliance with government regulations. The agency has sent a letter to Disney, requesting information about its initiatives, including rules governing diversity representation in characters.
Disney was prompted to make changes to its DEI policies earlier this year after significant concerns were raised by FCC chairman Brendan Carr. The inquiry is the latest sign of pressure being applied to media firms over their DEI practices.
The investigation comes amid a wider crackdown on DEI initiatives by the Trump administration, with impacts felt beyond the US. French companies with US government contracts have been asked to comply with an executive order banning DEI programs, while Disney has previously faced criticism from conservatives for allegedly promoting “woke” messages in its films.
FCC chairman Carr wants to determine whether Disney’s actions comply with applicable FCC regulations and ensure that the company ends any discriminatory initiatives. The agency has also launched investigations into other media firms, including NPR, PBS, Apple, Google, Verizon, and Comcast.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62k20l5x24o