Another go on EEO rules

摘要

New equal-employment requirements for the TV and radio businesses will go into effect early next year. Last week, the FCC approved the third incarnation of industry recruiting rules. The mandate requires broad outreach efforts and is aimed at avoiding the ire of federal judges who twice struck down earlier requirements they viewed as illegal quotas. At the same time, the FCC wants the rules to carry enough force to make broadcasters and cable and satellite operators step up efforts to interview, and presumably hire, more minorities and women. "The rules we adopt today include a broad outreach program that is squarely race- and gender-neutral and, thus, not constitutionally suspect," FCC Chairman Michael Powell said shortly after the four-commissioner panel unanimously approved the requirements.