Lawmakers Call On FCC To Renew Diversity Reporting

On December 11, 2023, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks joined Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09) to call for the reinstatement of the FCC’s collection of broadcast workforce diversity data.  

Twenty-seven Members of Congress have now joined the call.  In a letter addressed to the FCC, the Members state:

“We write to urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to finish its work to reinstate the collection of broadcast workforce diversity data.  The FCC is required by law to collect this information, and without it, the Commission and Congress are deprived of a key tool to assess the makeup of the media workforce.  In 2021, after nearly 20 years, the FCC took the important step of soliciting comment on how to recommence this important data collection using Form 395-B.  It is now time for the Commission to follow through, and set forth rules for broadcasters to submit workforce diversity data on an annual basis, as Congress intended.”   

“There’s no doubt that information is power, and the collection of data on workforce composition, race and gender at the FCC has been in limbo for over two decades.  I believe it’s time we reinvigorate the simple notion that America’s diversity is its greatest strength,” said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.

“When our broadcasters reflect the makeup of our communities they’re better equipped to report on the full spectrum of issues that matter to viewers.  And understanding the composition of our broadcast workforce helps achieve that goal.  I’m glad to see the FCC’s commitment to work together to lay the groundwork for a more inclusive media that reflects the diversity of our nation,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen.

“Diversity in our news matters and it’s critical that broadcast networks and newsrooms look like the communities they serve,” said Senator Ben Ray Luján.  “As the public relies on news broadcasts daily, our letter urges the FCC to continue collecting data on broadcast workforce diversity to ensure all stories and perspectives are covered responsibly.”

Signatories of the letter include: Rep. Clarke, Sen. Van Hollen (who, with Congresswoman Clarke and Commission Starks, called for the reinstatement of this rule in 2019), Sens. Luján and Warnock, and Reps. Ramirez, Norton, Mullin, Carson, McGovern, Goldman, Tonko, Soto, Barragán, Frederica Wilson, Costa, Veasey, Ruiz, Al Green, Robin Kelly, Troy Carter, Adams, Velázquez, Nadler, Watson Coleman, Cárdenas, Horsford, and Jackson Lee.