FCC Launches Investigation Threatening ABC's Broadcast License Over Disney DEI Practices

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has launched an investigation into The Walt Disney Company's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices, which could jeopardize ABC's broadcast license. Carr stated that evidence suggests Disney may have engaged in race- and gender-based discrimination in hiring, including implementing quotas and creating race-defined affinity groups. If confirmed, these practices could impact Disney's qualifications to hold a broadcast license, as broadcasters are required to adhere to federal equal employment opportunity regulations. The inquiry aligns with the Trump administration's broader efforts to dismantle DEI policies across various sectors. Disney has acknowledged the investigation and expressed willingness to cooperate with the FCC's inquiries. Advocacy groups have voiced concerns over the potential negative implications of such investigations on workplace equity.