Diversity

Federal Communications Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel launched “Broadband Conversations,” a podcast dedicated to highlighting women who are making an impact on our digital lives. Each episode, Commissioner Rosenworcel will talk to women who are breaking new ground and forging new paths in technology, media, and innovation about what they’re working on, what’s on their minds, what they think is the next for the future. The first episode, featuring Sen Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), was released Sept 19.

In 2017-18, the percentages of female characters on screen and women working in key roles behind the scenes declined on television. Overall, females comprised 40% of all speaking characters on television programs appearing on the broadcast networks, cable, and streaming services, a decline of 2 percentage points from 42% in 2016-17.  Behind the scenes, women accounted for 27% of all creators, directors, writers, executive producers, producers, editors, and directors of photography working on programs delivered via the various platforms last year.

Key leadership of the Federal Communications Commission's Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE) have a big problem with the way the FCC has structured the new diversity incubator program they otherwise support, a problem they say could "destroy" the program. That warning came in a call the week of Aug 13 between committee members James Winston and David Honig and Matthew Berry, chief of staff to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.

Changes in decades-old broadcasting rules, combined with new types of competition in news and entertainment, are creating a drama-filled free-for-all as local US broadcasters consolidate. Consolidation will inevitably mean that fewer voices reach more people, but some in the industry argue it's the only way local broadcasting will be able to compete with big tech. Of all TV news products, local television still has the largest audience by far compared to national and cable. But it's also been hit with the greatest decline among the three types of traditional TV.

Political strategists say recent moves by Facebook to secure its powerful advertising engine are hampering their ability to communicate with Hispanics and Spanish-speaking audiences ahead of the midterm elections.

The Federal Communications Commission adopted requirements that will govern an incubator program to assist new, small, or struggling voices, including women and minorities, in overcoming the key barriers to entry into the broadcast sector. Under the program, an established broadcaster will provide financial and operational support, including training and mentoring, to a new or small broadcaster.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai made three appointments to the Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment (ACDDE).

Some members of the Federal Communications Commission's diversity advisory committee want to make sure TV does not get left out of the FCC's proposed new diversity incubator program. The commission, which is planning to vote on the incubator Report and Order (R&O) Aug.

The Federal Communications Commission will hold an Open Meeting on the subjects listed below on Thursday, August 2, 2018:

Facebook can no longer block minorities or other groups from seeing advertisements, according to an agreement with Washington state. Facebook signed a binding agreement to modify its advertising platform so third parties can’t discriminate based on ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation, according to Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson. Facebook must make the changes nationwide within 90 days, according to Ferguson’s office. Will Castleberry, Facebook vice president of state and local policy, said the company worked closely with Ferguson’s office to reach the agreement.