Paramount's DEI initiative has ceased to exist, as per a pledge made by David Ellison's Skydance, in regards to communication with the Federal Communications Commission.
In a significant move that has stirred controversy in the entertainment industry, Skydance Media, following its merger with Paramount Global, has publicly committed to ending all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs previously active at Paramount.
In a three-page letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair, Brendan Carr, Skydance outlined its intentions to dismantle Paramount's DEI initiatives, remove all related roles, and refrain from creating new ones. The company will also eliminate the Office of Global Inclusion and remove references to DEI in public messaging and internal training materials.
However, Skydance has emphasised its commitment to ensuring that its storytelling reflects the many audiences and communities it serves, while maintaining compliance with non-discrimination requirements and other applicable laws.
This decision aligns with FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s regulatory stance, which favours the elimination of government-backed diversity programs.
While Skydance and Paramount's move signals a major reversal of DEI efforts within these entities, other industry players and organizations continue to actively pursue inclusion, equity, and diversity programs.
For instance, the Sundance Institute maintains an "Equity, Impact, and Belonging" program supporting diverse storytellers, including transgender artists of colour. Netflix continues efforts through its Fund for Creative Equity to advance underrepresented communities in entertainment. Professional development programs such as Inclusive Leadership for Film and Television provide ongoing training to foster inclusive workplace cultures.
CBS, for years, struggled to build shows around people of colour, but broke the pattern in 2018 with "The Neighborhood" and "FBI." The broadcaster also championed mentorship programs for writers and directors to build a more diverse pipeline of creators, dating back to 2004.
Meanwhile, other industry developments include the $16-million settlement Paramount reached with Trump to resolve a dispute that caused deep divisions within Paramount. The creators of "South Park" also reached deals with Paramount that rank among the richest in television history.
The decision to abandon DEI programs has received mixed reactions. Daniel Suhr, president of the conservative Center for American Rights, expressed encouragement about Skydance's and Paramount's decisions. However, critics argue that such a move could perpetuate the underrepresentation of marginalised communities in the entertainment industry.
In other news, Stephen Colbert learned his CBS talk show would be canceled in May, and there are questions about whether his frequent criticisms of Trump played into the decision. Telecommunications giant Verizon, in a separate development, pledged to drop diversity efforts to gain FCC Chair Brendan Carr's approval for a $20-billion takeover of Frontier Communications.
This article serves as a snapshot of the current landscape of DEI initiatives in Hollywood, highlighting the contrast between those who are abandoning such efforts and those who continue to advocate for inclusion and diversity.
- Skydance Media, following its merger with Paramount Global, has announced their intention to dismantle Paramount's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, aligning with FCC Chair Brendan Carr's regulatory stance.
- In contrast to Skydance and Paramount, the Sundance Institute maintains an "Equity, Impact, and Belonging" program supporting diverse storytellers, including transgender artists of color.
- Netflix continues efforts through its Fund for Creative Equity to advance underrepresented communities in entertainment.
- Professionals in the industry can also seek ongoing training through programs like Inclusive Leadership for Film and Television to foster inclusive workplace cultures.
- CBS, once criticized for struggling to build shows around people of color, broke the pattern in 2018 with "The Neighborhood" and "FBI," and has long advocated for mentorship programs to build a more diverse pipeline of creators.
- In Los Angeles, the entertainment industry's focus on DEI initiatives is evident in various business and television developments, such as the $16-million settlement Paramount reached with Trump and the rich TV deals struck by the creators of "South Park."
- The decision to abandon DEI programs within Skydance and Paramount has received mixed reactions, with critics arguing that such a move could perpetuate the underrepresentation of marginalized communities.
- Meanwhile, in the realm of politics and general news, Verizon, a telecommunications giant, pledged to drop diversity efforts to gain FCC Chair Brendan Carr's approval for a $20-billion takeover of Frontier Communications.
