Report No. DC-2588         ACTION IN DOCKET CASE            
April 20, 1994


                 FCC INITIATES INQUIRY INTO BROADCAST AND
                           CABLE EEO REGULATIONS
                           (MM DOCKET NO. 94-34)

     The Commission  today  initiated  an inquiry  regarding  the
effectiveness of its rules, procedures, policies, standards and
guidelines in promoting equality of employment opportunity and
promotional opportunity  in the  cable and  broadcast industries.

Comments are requested regarding possible improvements to the EEO
rules, policies and enforcement thereof; and on how to further,
to
the greatest extent possible, the goals of the Commission.  This
information is necessary to assist the Commission in preparing
its
October 1994 report to Congress on the effectiveness of its EEO
policies as required by Section 22(g) of the Cable Television
Consumer Protection and Competition Act of 1992.

     The Commission said that the overriding goal underlying its
EEO rules is to promote program diversity.  In addition, the
Commission's EEO rules enhance access by minorities and women to
increase employment opportunities, which are the foundation for
increasing opportunities for minorities and women in all facets
of
the communications industry, including participation in
ownership. 
Thus, the rules also promote the further development of broader
communications infrastructure.

     The Commission is asking for comment on ways to better
enable
broadcasters to meet their EEO obligations.  The Commission noted
that some broadcasters stated that they have unique difficulties
attracting and retaining minority employees because they are
located in small markets.  Thus, comments are requested on ways
the
Commission's EEO policies can reflect these concerns.

     Comments are also requested on whether documentation of
part-
time hires be eliminated for all broadcasters.  Alternatively,
what
level of consideration should be given for part-time hires
consistent with the Commission's primary EEO policy focus which
is
on full-time hires and employment?



                                  (over)



                                    -2-

     The Commission is requesting comment on whether broadcasters
should be required to encourage minority and female entrepreneurs
to conduct business with all parts of their operation as is now
required for cable operators and multichannel video programming
distributors (MVPDs).

     The Commission also proposed changes to its inquiry letters.

Currently, standard inquiry letters request recruitment and
hiring
information for the last three years of the license term.  The
Commission is asking for comment on whether such letters should
be
revised to request information for the entire license term or for
some other period of time.  Also, should the Commission
supplement
its renewal inquiry procedures by conducting on-site audits for
broadcasters in certain cases?  

     The Commission also seeks comment concerning cable EEO
enforcement.  Currently, the Commission selects audit locations
by
picking a certain region of the country based on such factors as
the concentration of minorities in the available force and the
number of cable employment units in the area.  It then reviews
Cable Television Annual Employment Reports to determine units
that
fall below the processing guidelines and/or have employment
discrepancies.  The Commission is requesting comment on whether
there is a more efficient and effective selection method.

     In addition, comments are requested on whether the
Commission
should require cable operators to maintain certain types of
records
about their recruitment efforts for a specified period of time.

     The Commission is asking for comment on ways in which it can
better enable cable operators and MVPDs to meet their EEO goals. 
The Commission seeks suggestions as to how it might better inform
cable operators, MVPDs and the public about the EEO requirements.

     Finally, the Commission stated that there are a significant
number of emerging technologies in the field of communications,
and
a convergence of existing communication technologies.  The
Commission is asking for comment on whether application and
enforcement of the Commission's EEO policies should be expanded
with respect to entities other than broadcasters, cable operators
and MVPDs?  For example, should the EEO polices be expanded for
common carrier technologies, particularly those that provide
services that compete with broadcast and cable services (other
than
MVPDs already covered by the 1992 Cable Act)?
     







                                    -3-

     Action by the Commission April 20, 1994, by Notice of
Inquiry
(FCC 94-103).  Chairman Hundt, Commissioners Quello and Barrett,
with Commissioner Barrett issuing a separate statement.

                                   -FCC-

     News Media contact: Patricia A. Chew at (202) 632-5050.
     Mass Media Bureau contact: Hope Cooper at (202) 632-7069.