News Media Contact:
January 31, 2001					Mark Schneider:  202-418-2100


PRESS STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER SUSAN NESS
ON SUSPENSION OF THE BROADCAST AND CABLE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM RULES


I was sincerely disappointed by the decision of the United States Court of Appeals that 
found invalid certain Equal Employment Opportunity outreach requirements of this 
Commission.  Today we suspend these requirements, pending the issuance of the court's 
mandate in that proceeding and our assessment of that decision.  It is my hope that, 
regardless of the absence of these requirements, broadcasters and cable operators will 
make every effort to reach out to consider all members of our community when they hire 
and promote talent, at all levels of their organizations.


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Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order
constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).