NAACP backs Comcast-NBC merger after securing diversity pledges

Three of the nation's leading civil rights organizations wrote to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski on Thursday to express their support for Comcast's proposed acquisition of NBC Universal.

The NAACP, the National Urban League and the National Action Network announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Comcast that includes committments to support diversity in the media marketplace, particularly with regard to African-Americans. The groups also highlighted Comcast's record of giving to charitable community organizations.

"Through this MOU, Comcast and NBCU have committed to continuous improvement in promoting employment and advancement opportunities for African-Americans and other minorities," the groups said. "They have also committed to promote supplier diversity and to expand on their record of promoting programming diversity and charitable support for communities in need."

As part of the memorandum, Comcast has committed to adding four new African-American-owned channels while also increasing African-American-targeted programming in key markets. NBC Universal has also pledged to increase diversity by increasing the number of minorities who participate on the writing staff as well as in news and public affairs programming.

"In recognition of the lack of early stage capital available for minority media and tech entrepreneurs, we are establishing a $20 million investment fund," Comcast said in a statement.

"There are also commitments to expand opportunities for minority providers of banking, legal and other professional services. Truly, as anyone who reviews the AAMOU will understand, these commitments are unprecedented."

Comcast has also created a Joint Diversity Council that gives minorities a permanent seat at the table with Comcast leadership.

"These measures are intended to ensure accountability to the commitments memorialized in the MOU," the groups state. "We hope that this MOU will serve as a model for other companies to foster greater diversity within their corporate structure and we commend Comcast and NBCU for their willingness to make diversity a central tenet of their future success."

The FCC is expected to conclude its review of the merger in the next few weeks, with most observers expecting the merger to be approved with minimal conditions. Some lawmakers have asked the FCC to require Comcast to comply with net neutrality principles to ensure the firm can't block competing online video distributors, but the need for such a rule could be significantly reduced if the FCC passes Genachowski's net-neutrality plan at Tuesday's open meeting, as expected.