Article in Ars Technica by John Brodkin, 5/20/25
Headline: “FCC Chair Brendan Carr is letting ISPs merge—as long as they end DEI programs”
It’s shaping up to be a big year for telecom mergers, and it appears the Federal Communications Commission is eager to approve the deals—as long as companies involved drop any DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies criticized by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Verizon just got a big merger approved, and cable giant Charter is seeking permission to buy Cox.
The FCC on Friday announced approval of Verizon’s purchase of Frontier, one day after Verizon committed to end DEI policies in a filing with the commission. Carr previously sent letters to Verizon and other companies alleging that their diversity policies are “invidious forms of discrimination” that violate federal law and threatened to block mergers pursued by firms that enforce such policies. . .”
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Article in The Washington Post by Will Oremus and Andrea Jimenez, 5/20/25
Headline: “Carr’s FCC puts the political squeeze on media mergers”
“Now companies looking to close deals are also ditching diversity policies and, reportedly, responding to pressure to settle lawsuits with President Donald Trump.
“On Friday, Verizon won FCC approval to buy broadband internet provider Frontier for about $10 billion. The approval came the day after the company said in a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr that it would end its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs “effective immediately,” as the Intercept first reported.
“The agency cited that shift as a factor in its approval . . .”
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/05/20/verizon-dei-carr-fcc-merger-cbs/