The Internet Association plans to hire a staffer who will focus on improving diversity among online businesses, the technology news site CNET reported Wednesday.

IA CEO Michael Beckerman mentioned the creation of the position of director of diversity and inclusion policy in a letter to Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) and Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.). Both members of Congress wrote to Beckerman in November 2017 voicing their concerns that internet technology was being used to spread racism and sexism. They wanted to know if the association was doing anything to combat the problem.

"It is important that the diversity of backgrounds and viewpoints among internet users is well represented in the industry generally and in our policy engagement specifically," Beckerman responded in his letter.

IA declined to comment further to CNET about Beckerman's letter. A job listing on the association's website said the new position will be responsible for leading the group's efforts on diversity and inclusion at the local, state and federal levels. http://cnet.co/2Fdgz4n

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