FCC (EEO) Rules

The FCC’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) rules and policies were updated in February of 2000 with the release of a report and order.

The purpose of the new EEO requirements was to broaden the group of people who make programming decisions at broadcast stations resulting in those program decisions reflecting the diversity of various viewpoints in society. The FCC also applied these requirements to all job categories including those with no direct impact on programming decisions.

Through these rules and policies, the FCC has adopted a zero tolerance policy with respect to enforcement. These rules and policies include extensive outreach efforts, additional filing requirements with the FCC, placement of new filings in stations’ public files, and substantial record keeping and self-assessment on broadcasters.

Please review the Broadcast EEO Program Report and 10 Steps to EEO Compliance to ensure compliance with the FCC requirements.