FCC Moves EEO Functions To Enforcement Bureau

The FCC said today it’s officially moving its Equal Employment Opportunity team from the Media Bureau to the Enforcement Bureau, effective as of today’s publication in the Federal Register.

“By moving our Equal Employment Opportunity team to the Enforcement Bureau, we will improve the FCC’s enforcement of these rules and strengthen our commitment to fighting discrimination,” said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “For half a century, the FCC has been tasked with ensuring that broadcasters, cable operators, and other multichannel video programming distributors comply with our national policy against discrimination in hiring. This reform will help us fulfill that charge. I thank all those involved in this modernization process.”

The EEO team’s work is primarily focused on periodic random audits of broadcast licensee and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPD) EEO programs, along with any necessary enforcement actions arising from those audits.  The team also investigates complaints and takes enforcement action based on those investigations when necessary.

The FCC voted in 2018 to move its EEO audit and enforcement functions to the Enforcement Bureau to better serve the public interest and improve the Commission’s operations. This transfer required approval from the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the Office of Management and Budget.

The FCC also negotiated an agreement regarding the implementation of the realignment with the National Treasury Employees Union. All of these steps have now been completed, which clears the way for the move effective immediately.