Supreme Court lets stand broadcast diversity ruling (bye bye forced racial quotas in TV news biz!)

Reuters ^ | January 22, 2002

[Timesink]

Tuesday January 22 2:34 PM ET

Supreme Court lets stand broadcast diversity ruling

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday let stand a lower-court ruling striking down as unconstitutional federal rules designed to promote employment diversity in the broadcast industry.

A year ago, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) rules put official government pressure on the broadcasters to recruit minorities.

The appeals court said the rules put official pressure on television, radio, and cable operators to recruit minority candidates in a way that was not narrowly tailored to support a compelling government interest.

The high court declined, without comment or dissent, to hear an appeal brought by a number of groups, including the National Organization for Women and People for the American Way.

The FCC, at its December open meeting, started the process of rewriting its policy by proposing new rules that would require broadcasters and cable companies to send job vacancy information to all recruitment organizations that request it.

Additionally, the agency proposed the companies participate in certain outreach programs like job fairs and internship programs, and that they interact with education and community groups and file annual employment reports.

Reuters/Variety REUTERS

[Timesink]

I cannot put into words how hard it was for me, as a white male, to find work in broadcast journalism coming out of college in the early 90s. Well, actually I can put it into words: It was IMPOSSIBLE. Nobody was hiring anyone that wasn't either a minority or a female, and plenty of potential employers admitted this to my face (off the record, of course). I am absolutely ecstatic to see this institutionalized racism and hate made illegal FOREVER.

[Polybius]

Did you ever consider changing your name to Geraldo Rivera?

[newgeezer]

I am absolutely ecstatic to see this institutionalized racism and hate made illegal FOREVER.

Forever? "The high court declined, without comment or dissent, to hear an appeal...." Therefore, it looks to me as if it's illegal only until another court rules differently.

[VRWC_minion]

I think it will stay illegal in that district.

[garyb]

Nothing is forever. The FCC under chairman Powell has already issued a public notice seeking comments on a new and improved racial quota, oh, excuse me, diversity system.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Hey its still good news for now !

[AZFolks]

Does anyone know the vote breakdown?

[thulldud]

The rancid misinformation purveyed as "news" by the lefties of the Fourth Estate used to be good for a laugh at least, but out of the mouth of "info-babes" it becomes a virulent, disgusting plague as it issues forth colored by their smug arrogance. For years, I have avoided watching or listening to such, and I wondered why there were so many, and so hard to avoid. So that's the answer -- affirmative action. I might have known. Thank you, sir.

[newgeezer]

Does anyone know the vote breakdown?

"The high court declined, without comment or dissent, to hear an appeal...."

There was no vote.

[MindBender26]

This is very important (non)decision

Effectivly, the vote was 9-0.

This will have VERY serious effect, espceially in the medium to smaller markets. In New York, you "need" a one eyed, gay, left-handed Afro-Chineese anchor in a wheelchair.

Not so in Fargo.

In Fargo, Framingham and Fresno, specific minorities have been required by federal mandate. No more.

Gone will be the minority reporters who couldn't write a declarative sentence, and like one I worked with, didn't know the executive of a state was the governor and the executive of a city was the mayor, (She once asked me who was the Mayor of Nebraska! She ended up as an anchor in New York until she said St. Patrick's day was a wonderful event, not just in New York, but for German people everywhere. She also asked her co-anchor, since the Pope appeared to be such a kindly man... "Did Pope John Paul II ever have a family?")

Gone also are the "reserved seats." In TV, once a minority gets a specific position, such as noon anchor or weekend anchor, that position becomes a "Black Job" or an "Oriental Job" and must be filled by that minority when the current one leaves. Adios that idea.

Also, this affirmed decision was from the "Little Supreme Court", the DC Appeals Court. Other courts look to this court for guidance.

Finally, this is a very visable blow against liberal racism called "Affirmative Action." It will be extended to other areas, other jobs.

Oyeas, Oyeas, Oyeas, God Save This Court.

[balrog666]

There was no vote.

It takes four votes to hear a case but, since those internal votes are never released to the public, all we know is that at least 6 judges declined to hear it. Coulda been all 9, we'll just never know.

[MindBender26]

It takes four, officially, but if one or two justices really want to hear a case, others will defer to him or her and grant certerari so the court can schedule the matter.

A non-hearing on this indicates a rather broad agreement, and that they thought the decsiion from the DC COA was correct, well written and well founded.

[balrog666]

It takes four, officially, but if one or two justices really want to hear a case, others will defer to him or her and grant certerari so the court can schedule the matter. A non-hearing on this indicates a rather broad agreement, and that they thought the decsiion from the DC COA was correct, well written and well founded.

I bow to your superior knowledge.

[MindBender26]

Thanks Dad. :~)

[stimulate]

Diversity,aka affirmative action is being eviscerated, slowly but surely.It is THE law in Washingtn D.C. If some other Appelate jurisdiction doesn't agree, it will certainly be appealed to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court will then decide, and the decision will be to uphold the Washington D.C. court.Diversity equals quotas, and quotas have always been illegal.

[FreedomFriend]

Hey, the white male is still discriminated against. Try getting any government job coming out of college, and it is almost as difficult. They usually only take minorities and women if there is no previous work experience (internships don't count).