The head of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington, D.C. has announced that he is investigating the diversity practices of Walt Disney Co. (DIS).
FCC Chair Brendan Carr wrote to Disney CEO Robert Iger, saying that the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts may not comply with FCC regulations and that changes by the company may not go far enough.
Carr added that the FCC is also investigating the diversity policies of Disney’s ABC television network, as well as Comcast (CMCSA) and Verizon (VZ).
In the letter sent to Disney CEO Bob Iger, Carr wrote, “I want to ensure that Disney ends any and all discriminatory initiatives in substance, not just name.”
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has targeted diversity, equity and inclusion, so called “DEI” initiatives, claiming that they amount to a form of discrimination.
Trump officials also claim that diversity hiring does not lead to the most qualified people being hired for various jobs.
Disney has caused controversy with diversity in some of its recent films.
The company came under fire for casting Rachel Zegler, a Latina actress, in a live action version of the movie “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” among other controversies.
The stock of Walt Disney Co. is down 19% over the last 12 months and trading at $98.07 U.S. per share.
