A spokesperson from Disney confirmed the company plans to cooperate with the investigation launched by the FCC regarding its diversity and inclusion (DEI) practices. This inquiry comes as part of a larger trend, led by the Trump administration's crackdown on DEI initiatives across the media landscape.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's letter to Disney also targets the company's ABC News unit, expressing concerns that Disney is promoting diversity in ways that may contravene government standards. Previously, Carr had scrutinized other media companies, including NPR and PBS, as well as tech giants like Apple and Google.
The investigation seeks clarity on whether Disney violated equal employment opportunity regulations through its DEI initiatives. Carr emphasizes that he wants to ensure Disney's actions comply fully with the applicable regulations. Notably, Disney has recently revised its DEI policies amid growing political pressure.
The scrutiny on Disney is not new, previously facing backlash for criticizing controversial state laws and its alignment with "woke" culture. The inquiry positions Disney at the center of a broader conversation about diversity in media amid shifting national politics.
