ACLU Wants Investigation Into Hollywood's Hiring Practices

There have been a few posts here about how female directors in Hollywood are being marginalized by the industry. Now, the ACLU is getting involved. The New York Times reports that the ACLU has asked both state and federal agencies to investigate the hiring practices of Hollywood studios, networks, and talent agencies. The ACLU is quoted as follows:

"Women directors aren't working on an even playing field and aren't getting a fair opportunity to succeed. Gender discrimination is illegal. And, really, Hollywood doesn't get this free pass when it comes to civil rights and gender discrimination."

Of the top-grossing 100 films of 2013 and 2014 only 1.9% were directed by women. And of the 3,500 episodes of broadcast television that aired last year, only 14% were directed by women. 1/3 of those shows had zero female directors.