Background
The FCC has Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) rules and policies for radio and TV broadcasters and multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs). An MVPD can be a cable operator or satellite TV operator that sells multiple channels of video programming. The rules prohibit discrimination in hiring on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or gender by broadcasters and MVPDs. The rules for MVPDs also prohibit discrimination in hiring on the basis of age. The EEO rules require broadcasters employing five or more full-time employees and MVPDs employing six or more full-time employees to maintain an EEO recruitment program. The recruitment rules include requirements to provide notice of job vacancies and to undertake additional outreach measures to all qualified job candidates, such as holding job fairs and establishing scholarship programs.
FCC rule Requirements
The FCC’s EEO rules require broadcasters and MVPDs subject to the recruitment requirements to:
- widely distribute information concerning each full-time (30 hours or more) job vacancy, except for vacancies that need to be filled in demanding or special circumstances;
- provide notice of each full-time job vacancy to recruitment organizations that request notice; and
- complete two (for broadcast employment units with five to 10 full-time employees that are located in smaller markets) or four (for employment units with more than 10 full-time employees located in larger markets) longer-term recruitment initiatives within a two-year period. MVPDs must complete one (for units with 6 to 10 full-time employees in smaller markets) or two (for units with more than 10 full-time employees in larger markets) initiatives within a one-year period. These initiatives can include job fairs, scholarship and internship programs and other community events designed to inform the public about employment opportunities in broadcasting.
The EEO rules include record-keeping and reporting requirements for broadcasters and MVPDs. The requirements are more limited for entities in smaller markets.
The FCC reviews broadcasters’ compliance with EEO rules at the time of a broadcaster’s license renewal, at mid-term during the license period for television stations with five or more full-time employees and for radio stations with 11 or more full-time employees, and through random audits. The FCC reviews MVPDs’ compliance every year through reviews of FCC Forms 396-C filed by units, and through random audits.
You can file comments with the FCC about the EEO compliance of broadcasters and MVPDs at any time.
Related Information
Helpful Tips – Form 396
Filing A Complaint With The FCC
You can file your complaint using an online complaint form. You also can file your complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554
For More Information
For more information about the FCC’s EEO rules, visit the FCC’s Media Bureau website. For information about other communications issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau website, or contact the FCC’s Consumer Center at the address and phone numbers listed above.
Print Out
EEO Rules And Policies For Radio And Broadcast And Non-Broadcast TV Guide (pdf)
