WRCM is legally set up as a division of a religious organization, with full 501 (c) 3 designation as a non-profit organization. As an FCC-licensed facility, they are mandated to have full EEO compliance. EEO, however, specifically exempts religious organizations from the "creed" provisions of enforcement. As long as they can show good-faith efforts to hire according to the principles of EEO, the federal government will not take them to task over their hiring practices. That's where all of those "outside applications" get used, and naturally the station wants lots of those to show the EEO folks.
One thing to remember though, EEO only covers hiring principles in the areas we all know...race, creed, color, sex or national origin. Those areas are not likely to expand on a federal basis. The remainder of employer regulations covering hiring are contained in either individual state regulations or the text of a union contract. On those issues, I can only speak to what is true in North Carolina, where I live. Union organization among broadcasters here is virtually nonexistent, so the issue falls to the state.
North Carolina gives employers a WIDE berth in how they may choose employees, what tasks they may require an employee to do and what personal habits they may require of employees. An employer has the right to fire an employee for any reason, or no reason. As long as the employer abides by applicable EEO and Federal Minimum Wage rules, has employees covered by Unemployment Insurance and Worker's Compensation, and pays the applicable share of Social Security, an employer may require whatever he or she wishes of employees. If the employees don't like the conditions of employment, they may quit, or better yet not even bother to apply for the job.
The specific case of religious organizations that own broadcasting facilities requiring these things of their employees has been tried, and upheld in court. You might not like the practice...I'm not sure I like the way most of them do it...but it IS allowed under the law.
As to the exclusion of Catholics, many...but thankfully not most...evangelical religious organizations believe that Catholic doctrine makes them heretics. Of course, that has been said of many such denominations through the years. Some groups say that Presbyterians, Methodists, Southern Baptists, Mormons, and even my crowd...Wesleyans...are not practicing "true" Christianity. If such groups own broadcast stations, they legally can use my denominational affiliation as a bar to employment.
I say to such...you are free in this country to practice your belief...I am free to practice mine. I will work elsewhere in this big, wonderful profession.
Later...
Matt Smith
WGSR-TV...also an assistant pastor
