Background
The FCC has established Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) rules
and policies for broadcasters and revised its EEO rules for
multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). An MVPD may
be a cable operator or satellite TV operator that sells multiple
channels of video programming. The rules prohibit discrimination
in hiring on the basis of race, color, religion, national
origin, or gender by broadcasters and MVPDs. They also require
broadcasters and MVPDs to provide notice of job vacancies and to
undertake additional outreach measures to all qualified job
candidates, such as holding job fairs and establishing
scholarship programs.
FCC Rule Requirements
The FCC rules require broadcasters and
MVPDs to:
-
widely distribute information
concerning each full-time (30 hours or more) job vacancy,
except for vacancies that need to be filled in demanding or
special circumstances;
-
provide notice of each full-time job
vacancy to recruitment organizations that request notice;
and
-
complete two (for broadcast employment
units with five to 10 full-time employees or that are
located in smaller markets) or four (for employment units
with more than 10 full-time employees located in larger
markets) longer-term recruitment initiatives within a
two-year period. These initiatives can include job fairs,
scholarship and internship programs, and other community
events designed to inform the public about employment
opportunities in broadcasting.
The EEO rules include record keeping and
reporting requirements for broadcasters and MVPDs. The
requirements are more limited for entities in smaller markets.
The FCC reviews compliance with EEO rules
at the time of a broadcaster’s license renewal, at mid-term
during the license period for larger broadcasters, and through
random audits.
You may file comments with the FCC about
the EEO outreach programs of broadcasters and MVPDs at any time.
For More Information
For more information
about the FCC’s EEO rules, visit the FCC’s Media Bureau
Web site at
www.fcc.gov/mb. For information about other
communications issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau Web site at
www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact the FCC’s Consumer
Center by e-mailing
fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC
(1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC
(1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing
to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.
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