EEO Item Taken Off Circulation, Expected Soon

A draft order on collecting broadcaster and cable workforce diversity data using form 395-B is off the FCC’s circulation list. Removing an item is usually an indication that it was voted on and will be released soon. The item was circulated at the end of December and quickly received three votes -- likely from the agency’s Democrats -- but then was held up under the agency’s must-vote procedures, waiting for the remaining two votes. FCC Republicans Nathan Simington and Brendan Carr were expected to oppose the item. The draft order would reinstate form 395-B and require broadcasters to upload diversity data forms to online public files. It's accompanied by a Further NPRM that seeks comment on expanding the same rules to cable, FCC and industry officials told us (see 2401260075). The FCC declined to comment.