FCC Fines Cox, CMP and Entravision Over EEO Rules

RADIO ONLINE | , , | :am CT

The FCC has issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (NAL) to Cox Radio's Miami group for $9000 for failing to comply with the Commission's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) recruitment and self-assessment requirements. Also receiving NAL's for poor EEO recruitment were Cumulus Media Partners/Houston for $3000 and Entravision's group in McAllen-Brownsville for $12,000.

The Commission concluded that Cox, CMP and Entravision failed to properly recruit for every fulltime vacancy, instead relying on industry and employee referrals to fill one fulltime vacancy. The FCC ruled that relying only on a licensee's own employees or its own private contacts does not constitute recruitment under the Commission's rules, which require public outreach.

All three licensees now face "reporting conditions," so the Commission can ensure that the stations maintain an adequate EEO program in compliance with the FCC rules. The reporting conditions will apply to the stations, and to all other stations that are part of their employment unit.