Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment The Federal Communications Commission has persuaded another major telecom company to eliminate its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. AT&T wrote a letter to FCC chairman Brendan Carr Monday that it is eliminating its DEI initiatives, "not just in name, but in substance." "The legal landscape governing diversity, equity, and inclusion ('DEI') policies and programs has changed," the company wrote in its letter. "We have closely followed the recent Executive Orders, Supreme Court rulings, and guidance issued by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission1 and have adjusted our employment and business practices to ensure that they comply with all applicable laws and related requirements, including ending DEI-related policies as described below, not just in name but in substance." Related Stories TV Should Your Local CBS Station Be Able to Pick Up Shows From Another Network? The FCC Wants to Find Out Business "We Are the Anti-Fake News": Nexstar Makes Its Case to the FCC for Tegna Takeover The changes include eliminating all roles focused on DEI, and ending any DEI-related training. The move by AT&T follows similar commitments to end DEI by Verizon and T-Mobile, as well as media companies like Paramount, with Skydance promising the FCC it would eliminate DEI at the company should the deal be approved. AT&T, like its telecom competitors, is in the market for wireless spectrum as it seeks to take on cable and satellite companies, and Carr has made it clear that eliminating DEI is effectively a requirement for any company seeking approval from the FCC for licenses. "AT&T's reversal isn't a sudden transformation of values, but a strategic financial play to curry favor with this FCC/Administration," said Anna Gomez, the FCC's lone Democratic commissioner. "Companies should remember that abandoning fairness and inclusion for short-term gain will be a stain to their reputation long into the future." THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up The Pitt 'The Pitt' Production Assistants Unanimously Ratify First Union Contract Theater Broadway Box Office: 'Hamilton' Hits Record $4.9 Million YouTube YouTubers and Podcasters to Swarm Milan Olympics as NBCU Doubles Down on Creator Content Warner Bros. Discovery Warner Bros. Empire Hangs in the Balance As Second Round Bids Arrive politics Fox News Names Aishah Hasnie Anchor and White House Correspondent YouTube YouTube's 2025 Trending Topics and Creators Include Netflix Shows, Charlie Kirk and Joe Rogan The Pitt 'The Pitt' Production Assistants Unanimously Ratify First Union Contract Theater Broadway Box Office: 'Hamilton' Hits Record $4.9 Million YouTube YouTubers and Podcasters to Swarm Milan Olympics as NBCU Doubles Down on Creator Content Warner Bros. Discovery Warner Bros. Empire Hangs in the Balance As Second Round Bids Arrive politics Fox News Names Aishah Hasnie Anchor and White House Correspondent YouTube YouTube's 2025 Trending Topics and Creators Include Netflix Shows, Charlie Kirk and Joe Rogan