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 SEPARATE  STATEMENT  OF  COMMISSIONER  KATHLEEN  Q.  ABERNATHY 
 Re:  Review  of  the  Commission’s  Broadcast  and  Cable  Equal  Employment  Opportunity  Rules  and  Policies,  MM  Docket  No.  98-  204  (adopted  November7,  2002) 


 Today  the  Commission  is  adopting  equal  employment  opportunity  rules  that  are  meaningful  and  effective  and,  just  as  important,  will  withstand  judicial  scrutiny.  As  I 
 have  stated  previously,  the  Commission  must  respect  the  courts  and  craft  an  order  consistent  with  the  decisions  set  forth  in  MD/  DC/  DE  Broadcasters  Association  v. 
 FCC  and  Lutheran  Church-  Missouri  Synod  v.  FCC.  It  would  be  irresponsible  to  place  in  jeopardy  rules  that  can  have  a  significant  impact  on  the  media  opportunities 
 available  to  all  members  of  our  communities  by  going  down  a  road  that  is  neither  appropriate  nor  effective. 


 I  appreciate  all  the  valuable  input  that  we  have  received  from  commenters  in  this  proceeding  and  the  rules  we  have  adopted  are  responsive  to  their  concerns.  Broad 
 outreach  and  anti-  discrimination  rules  will  enable  all  people  from  various  backgrounds  within  each  community  to  become  aware  of  specific  job  openings  and 
 media  opportunities  in  general.  In  addition,  the  longer-  term  recruitment  initiatives,  including  scholarships  and  internship  programs,  will  help  a  wide  array  of  people 
 develop  the  knowledge  and  skills  to  pursue  media  employment  opportunities.  Media  companies  will  benefit  from  an  expanded  range  of  qualified  applicants  from  which  to 
 choose  and  candidates  will  have  a  fair  opportunity  to  compete  for  jobs.  In  the  end,  the  public  benefits  from  services  created  and  delivered  by  a  talented  workforce.  The 
 rules  we  adopt  today  do  not  provide  better  opportunities  for  any  particular  group,  but  ensure  equal  opportunities  for  all. 
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