Court voids FCC rule for LCMS

A Federal Court of Appeals ruled against the Federal Communications Commission's affirmative action rules for television and radio, a decision that gives a victory to two Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod-operated radio stations. The FCC had fined the stations for failure to comply with equal employment opportunity requirements.

"The decision vindicates the church's radio stations in Clayton, Mo. (KFUO-AM and FM)," said Paul Devantier, executive director of the LCMS Board for Communication Services.
"The decision vindicates the church's radio stations in Clayton, Mo. (KFUO-AM and FM)," said Paul Devantier, executive director of the LCMS Board for Communication Services.

The FCC concluded the church made misleading statements about its equal employment practices, including requiring Lutheran training for certain positions, which would have an adverse impact on recruiting African Americans. The court ruled that the FCC's measures requiring radio and TV stations to find minority and female applicants result in companies giving special breaks to minorities. The new ruling, if upheld by the Supreme Court, would end a 30-year-old program that some supporters said brought diversity to the broadcast industry.