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Companies across the entertainment industry have been rethinking diversity initiatives and programs amid a larger crackdown driven by the White House.
By Winston Cho
Paramount is stepping back from some policies aimed at boosting diversity among its ranks amid a larger retreat from DEI initiatives in the private sector driven by the Trump administration.
The changes include eliminating staffing goals tied to race, ethnicity, sex and gender, according to an internal memo obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. The company will also stop collecting gender and diversity data for most U.S. job applicants and tying its employee incentive program to DEI goals. It pointed to the administration policies, last year’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court striking down race-conscious admissions in universities and federal mandates that “require changes in the way our company approaches inclusion moving forward.”
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The memo, sent from co-chief executives Brian Robbins, George Cheeks and Chris McCarthy to employees, added, “To be the best storytellers and to continue to drive success, we must have a highly talented, dedicated and creative workforce that reflects the perspectives and experiences of our many different audiences. Values like inclusivity and collaboration are a part of the Paramount culture and will continue to be. ”
DEI programs will continue to be evaluated to “ensure that we are widening our aperture to attract talent from all geographies, backgrounds and perspectives,” stated the memo, which noted that other unspecified initiatives may be expanded.
Paramount’s rethinking of its DEI policies aligns with companies rolling back DEI programs as the government campaigns against diversity initiatives. The day of his inauguration, Trump issued a sweeping executive order rolling back government DEI efforts. The Department of Justice said earlier this month that it would direct prosecutors to penalize and eliminate “illegal DEI” mandates across the private sector. Businesses have been navigating potential legal exposure, with several entirely withdrawing diversity programs and policies.
The memo was sent to employees as regulators review Paramount’s proposed merger with Skydance. FCC commissioner Brendan Carr, who sent a letter to Comcast earlier this month saying that he was investigating DEI policies, has asserted the agency’s authority over the sale due to the transfer of broadcast licenses.
The move aligns with other companies across Hollywood retreating from diversity initiatives. Disney, in its latest filing to regulators, scrubbed references to the “Reimagine Tomorrow” initiative, which launched in 2021 with the purpose of amplifying underrepresented voices. There are also plans to change content advisories implemented in 2020 on classic Disney animated and live-action titles, like Peter Pan, The Aristocats and Dumbo, according to a person familiar with the situation who noted that it will move from the beginning of movies to an informational tab.
This was preceded by Amazon rolling back division-wide policies aimed at boosting diversity on its series and films.
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