*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 19095.doc* NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: June 20, 2002 Maureen Peratino (202) 418- 0506 Margo Davenport (202) 418- 2949 FCC ANNOUNCES PANELISTS FOR EN BANC HEARING ON BROADCAST AND CABLE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY RULES SET FOR MONDAY, JUNE 24, 2002, 10: 00 A. M. Washington, DC -- The Federal Communications Commission today announced panelists appearing at the en banc hearing being held on Monday, June 24, 2002, to discuss issues and perspectives on the proceeding to promulgate new broadcast and cable equal employment opportunity (“ EEO”) rules. The en banc hearing will convene from 10: 00 a. m. to 1: 00 p. m. at the headquarters of the Federal Communications Commission, 445 12 th Street, S. W., Washington, D. C. in the Commission Meeting Room (Room TW- C305). The purpose of the en banc hearing is to assist the Commission in its examination of the EEO rules applicable to broadcast and cable entities. In January 2001, the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the rules as unconstitutional, finding them insufficiently tailored to address the Commission’s efforts to prohibit race and gender discrimination in broadcast and cable employment. The EEO rules reviewed by the court were adopted by the Commission in January 2000. Following the court’s decision, the Commission suspended enforcement of its EEO program outreach and dissemination rules. The broadcast and cable non- discrimination rules remain in effect. The en banc hearing will focus on the issues raised in the rulemaking initiated on December 21, 2001 (FCC 01- 363). The Commission will hear from executives and managers in the broadcasting and cable sectors, as well as leaders of public interest organizations. The en banc discussion will be twofold. First, panelists will address the scope of various EEO challenges such as obtaining vacancy and advancement information, obstacles to attracting and maintaining a diverse workforce, compliance paper work requirements, and outreach amidst limited financial as well as staffing resources. Second, panelists will discuss best practices and recommendations based upon their experience with effective programs, cost and staff sensitive proposals, and specific examples of both sound business and effective EEO outreach programs. - more - 1 Confirmed participants include: Henry Rivera, former FCC Commissioner, Partner, Shook, Hardy & Bacon Ann Arnold, Executive Director, Texas State Broadcasters’ Association Tom Baxter, AOL/ Time Warner, President, Time Warner Cable Linda Berg, Political Director, National Organization of Women Rev. Robert Chase, Executive Director, Office of Communications, United Church of Christ Belva Davis, Special Projects Reporter, KQED- TV Joan E. Gerberding, President, American Women in Radio and Television Gregory Hessinger, National Executive Director, AFTRA Cathy L. Hughes, Founder and Chairperson, Radio One, Inc. Michael Jack, President and General Manger of NBC- Washington Marilyn Kushak, Vice President, Midwest Family Broadcasters Hugh Price, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Urban League Esther Renteria, Founder, Hispanic Americans for Fairness in Media Senator Art Torres (Ret.), President, Walter Kaitz Foundation Charles Warfield, President and COO, ICBC Broadcast Holdings, Inc Steve White, Senior Vice President, AT& T Broadband . The en banc is open to the public and seating will be available on a first come, first served basis. All interested persons are invited to attend. Internet users may listen to the real-time audio feed of the hearing via the Internet in Real Audio/ Real Video format http:// www. fcc. gov/ realaudio/. In addition, the hearing will be interpreted for the hearing impaired. Media Bureau contact: Jamila Bess Johnson at (202) 418- 2608. - FCC - 2