FCC takes steps to end discrimination in broadcast ad contracts

The Federal Communications Commission took steps to block advertisers and agencies from discriminating on the basis of race or ethnicity when signing contracts with broadcast stations.

The advisory is aimed at advertising contracts that contain "no urban/no Spanish" clauses, which stipulate the ads can't be placed with urban or Latino stations. Stations must now certify that their agreements contain no such clause or risk the commission revoking their broadcast license. “It should be clear from today’s advisory that the commission will vigorously enforce its rules against discrimination in advertising sales contracts," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski. "As the Commission stated in its order adopting the rule, discrimination simply has no place in broadcasting.” The advisory also designates an individual in the FCC's Enforcement Bureau as the specific contact on the issue. Bureau Chief Michelle Ellison said the agency's leadership wants a renewed focus on issues of discrimination.