FCC investigates Disney and ABC for promoting DEI discrimination

In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has initiated an investigation into the hiring practices of the Walt Disney Company and its ABC television network. This investigation aims to determine whether these companies have violated equal employment opportunity regulations concerning their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The inquiry was announced by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr in a letter dated March 29, 2025, which specifically expressed concerns about potential discriminatory practices linked to their DEI policies. Chairman Carr highlighted that Disney's DEI efforts seemed to overstep the boundaries of fair employment practices as stated in the Communications Act. He noted that both Disney and ABC had embedded race- and gender-based criteria in their hiring practices and policies. Reports indicated that Disney created initiatives like 'Reimagine Tomorrow,' which allegedly advanced their DEI agenda, potentially in conflict with FCC regulations. Such practices included mandatory inclusion standards that required a certain percentage of characters on network programs to be from underrepresented groups, raising questions of whether this constituted invidious discrimination. The investigation occurs against a backdrop of the Trump administration's broader agenda to dismantle DEI programs across private and public sectors. The FCC, historically focused on telecommunications and media regulation, is now embarking on a path that could reshape how corporations align their values of diversity and inclusion with compliance to federal laws. As regulatory scrutiny increases, companies must navigate the pressures of both maintaining their commitments to DEI and meeting the expectations or directives laid out by regulatory bodies like the FCC. The implications of this investigation could extend beyond just Disney and ABC, influencing the landscape of corporate practices nation-wide as the FCC actively engages with companies scrutinizing their DEI practices. This probe follows similar investigations into other media companies, illustrating a shift in the FCC's focus under Chairman Carr. Disney has publicly stated it is reviewing the commission's letter and is open to engaging with the FCC to address its concerns. As the inquiry unfolds, stakeholders will be closely monitoring how Disney and ABC respond and whether any forthcoming changes might satisfy both regulatory requirements and shareholder expectations. The ultimate outcome could affect the direction of corporate diversity policies in America for the foreseeable future.