FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has scored a significant victory over the push for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in the tech industry. AT&T has recently dropped its DEI programs, complying with demands from Carr.
The move comes as part of broader efforts to appease conservative lawmakers who have been critical of the FCC's stance on issues related to free speech and limited government intervention. In a letter filed with the FCC, AT&T assured Chairman Carr that it would "not have any roles focused on DEI" and that its hiring, training, and career development opportunities would not be based on or limited by race, gender, or other protected characteristics.
The decision has been praised by conservative activists who have long argued that DEI initiatives can stifle free speech and create a "PC culture" in the workplace. However, others have criticized the move as a "strategic financial play to curry favor with this FCC administration." FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, warned that abandoning fairness and inclusion for short-term gain will be a stain on companies' reputations.
The push for DEI policies has been a contentious issue in recent years, particularly under the Trump administration. In 2020, President Trump issued Executive Order 13962, which required federal agencies to implement "all applicable" anti-discrimination laws and procedures related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Since then, several major tech companies have faced intense pressure from conservative lawmakers and activist groups to drop their DEI initiatives. Verizon, T-Mobile, and Skydance Media all recently announced that they would be ending or scaling back their DEI programs in response to these demands.
AT&T's decision marks the latest twist in a saga that has pitted big tech against small carriers and consumer advocacy groups. The company's proposal to purchase US Cellular spectrum licenses has been met with opposition from several groups, which claim that it will lead to reduced competition and higher prices for consumers.
As the push for DEI policies continues, it remains to be seen how long companies like AT&T will remain committed to these initiatives. With Republican lawmakers increasingly vocal about their opposition, it's likely that we'll see more companies cave under pressure in the coming months.
The move comes as part of broader efforts to appease conservative lawmakers who have been critical of the FCC's stance on issues related to free speech and limited government intervention. In a letter filed with the FCC, AT&T assured Chairman Carr that it would "not have any roles focused on DEI" and that its hiring, training, and career development opportunities would not be based on or limited by race, gender, or other protected characteristics.
The decision has been praised by conservative activists who have long argued that DEI initiatives can stifle free speech and create a "PC culture" in the workplace. However, others have criticized the move as a "strategic financial play to curry favor with this FCC administration." FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, warned that abandoning fairness and inclusion for short-term gain will be a stain on companies' reputations.
The push for DEI policies has been a contentious issue in recent years, particularly under the Trump administration. In 2020, President Trump issued Executive Order 13962, which required federal agencies to implement "all applicable" anti-discrimination laws and procedures related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Since then, several major tech companies have faced intense pressure from conservative lawmakers and activist groups to drop their DEI initiatives. Verizon, T-Mobile, and Skydance Media all recently announced that they would be ending or scaling back their DEI programs in response to these demands.
AT&T's decision marks the latest twist in a saga that has pitted big tech against small carriers and consumer advocacy groups. The company's proposal to purchase US Cellular spectrum licenses has been met with opposition from several groups, which claim that it will lead to reduced competition and higher prices for consumers.
As the push for DEI policies continues, it remains to be seen how long companies like AT&T will remain committed to these initiatives. With Republican lawmakers increasingly vocal about their opposition, it's likely that we'll see more companies cave under pressure in the coming months.
. Companies should focus on creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and included, not just because it's trendy or politicians are breathing down their necks 
. AT&T dropping their programs is just a smart business move to save some cash 
. But let's be real, it's also a sign of the times we're living in. I mean, what's next? Cutting funding for diversity initiatives because some people think it's "PC culture"? 
It's not about stifling free speech, it's about creating an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute their best work 
. Companies that prioritize DEI are actually better equipped to innovate and stay ahead in the game 
. Let's hope AT&T rethinks this decision soon!
. i get that politics can be messy and companies gotta navigate different stakeholders, but this feels like a pretty short-sighted move. its not like dei initiatives are the only thing driving innovation or making companies more competitive. whats next? will they start curbing employee freedom of speech too?
. isnt it possible to have both? doesnt having a workplace that values and celebrates diversity just make the whole company more inclusive and attractive to top talent? i mean, companies are already expected to be responsible corporate citizens, so why do we need to pick and choose which values to prioritize?
. But at the same time, isn't it kinda messed up to just sweep all those values under the rug and ignore the fact that a lot of people are already marginalized in this industry? 
Like, isn't equality worth fighting for? 
. And what if these DEI initiatives are really just a bunch of bureaucratic nonsense that's taking up valuable resources? 
Companies got employees from all walks of life, and it's dope to see them supporting each other. 
wouldn't it be cool if businesses were allowed to make decisions based on what's best for them and their employees instead of what's good for politics? 
atm i'm low-key worried bout the future of companies like att n verizon n all cuz its not just about them tho it's bout fairness n inclusion which is super important 4 everyone 
. Anyway, it's like, companies are scared to make a move and get backlash from the right 
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. I mean, who needs DEI policies anyway? It's just a bunch of "PC nonsense" 
.
. It's like they think we're all just mindless drones who won't ask questions or challenge the status quo 
.
. I know there's more to this story than meets the eye 
. Stay tuned, folks!
i dont think fairness and inclusion are mutually exclusive with free speech. companies should strive for both 
Meanwhile, everyone else is still trying to make the world a better place. What's next? 
it's all about who has the power to dictate the narrative and control the conversation 
I'm so done with the drama on this forum. Can't we just talk about something else for once? Anyway, back to AT&T dropping its DEI programs... I mean, what a huge cop-out 
?
. It feels like they're just trying to appease the powers that be and save face 
...
. I need some actual data or stats to back up this claim, not just word of mouth from a few activists and politicians. What's the real reason behind this move? Is it really about "free speech" or is it about saving money on programs they didn't think were necessary in the first place? 