The FCC issued an Order and a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Wednesday, looking to improve its data on minority and female broadcast ownership. The Commission hopes to "more accurately assess and effectively promote diversity of ownership in the broadcast industry."

The FCC hopes to bring this "diversity of ownership" by making changes to ownership reporting requirements, thus bringing more accuracy to its information on broadcast license holders.

Changes to FCC Form 323 ask AM, FM and television stations to specifically identify their ownership and organizational structure, along with information on their owners' race, ethnicity and gender. The FCC Order notes that "Currently, the Commission does not possess reliable data on the precise status of minority and female ownership -- data that we will need to establish and maintain effective policies over time that the courts will insist upon if the Commission chooses to pursue more race- or gender-based approaches."

The Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking asks for comment on these potential changes to FCC Form 323, which currently does not ask gender, race, or ethnicity questions. The Notice also asks whether the Commission should collect similar information from Low Power FM licensees.

Acting FCC Chairman Michael Copps stated that the announcement "should be music to the ears of anyone who cares about reversing the shameful state of affairs in which we find ourselves.  Our broadcast media—and they are not alone among our nation’s media—for all their many wonderful accomplishments, are still deficient when it comes to reflecting the diversity of America.  Some of them are trying, and I want to recognize that.  But until they do a better job of reflecting that diversity, they are not really reflecting America.  That shortfall will continue until more women and minorities actually own stations and set their own policies."

Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein called the item "long overdue" and added that "Diversity in broadcast ownership is too crucial for the Commission not to get it right.  If we are going to make progress, we must lay a solid foundation."

Commissioner Robert McDowell noted that "although I do not entirely agree with every word in the item, I support this action and I look forward to reviewing the information that it will yield."