Twenty-seven Democratic members of Congress have signed a letter to Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel urging the FCC to reinstate the collection of data from broadcasters about workforce diversity.
Earlier this week Commissioner Geoffrey Starks and Rep. Yvette Clarke called for the reinstatement, as we reported.
The letter supports their call. It was signed by 24 representatives and three senators including Sen. Chris Van Hollen. In 2019 Clarke and Van Hollen asked then-Chairman Pai to reinstate the practice.
“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,” this week’s letter states.
“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.”
Signers include Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Diaz Barragán and Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford.