Report # MM 98-2                     MASS MEDIA ACTION                 February 25, 1998

    FCC MODIFIES EEO ENFORCEMENT FOR RELIGIOUS BROADCASTERS
                                
The FCC said that religious broadcasters may establish religious belief or affiliation as
a job qualification for all station employees. 

In a modification to the FCC's enforcement of its broadcast Equal Employment
Opportunity (EEO) rules, the Commission said that it is reasonable to conclude that it is
appropriate for all employees of religious broadcasters to share a common commitment to a
licensee's basic religious objective and mission. The Commission's action facilitates religious
broadcasters' ability to order their internal affairs and eliminates the potential for
impermissible governmental interference in the conduct of religious affairs.<P>

The Commission emphasized, however, that this action does not create a blanket
exemption from the FCC EEO rule and does not permit religious broadcasters to engage in
employment discrimination against women and minorities. When vacancies occur, religious
broadcasters will still be required to recruit without limitation on the basis of race, color,
national origin or gender from among those who share their religious affiliation or belief.<P>

Previously, the FCC had a limited EEO enforcement exemption for religious
broadcasters that only applied the exemption to vacancies involving persons hired to espouse
religious views over the air. The Commission said that the new approach would end the need
for the current practice of engaging in case-by-case analysis of particular job categories to
determine if they involve espousal of the licensee's religious views. The Commission's action
responds to concerns by religious broadcasters that its prior approach excessively entangled the
government in the affairs of religious entities.<P>

For these purposes, a "religious broadcaster" is defined as a licensee which is, or is
closely affiliated with, a church, synagogue, or other religious entity, including a subsidiary of
the religious entity.  Specific determinations of whether a licensee is a "religious broadcaster"
will be made on a case-by-case analysis.<P>

Action by the Commission by Order and Policy Statement (FCC 98-19). Chairman
Kennard, Commissioners Ness, Furchtgott-Roth, Powell and Tristani, with Commissioner
Furchtgott-Roth issuing a <A HREF="/Speeches/Furchtgott_Roth/Statements/sthfr807.html">separate statement</A>.<P>

News Media Contact: David Fiske (202) 418-0513<P>

                             <CENTER>- FCC </CENTER><P>