z_Out of the Picture
Out of the Picture found that minorities have been shut out from owning television stations -- the nation's most influential form of media.
According to the study, minorities make up 33 percent of the U.S. population just 3.26 percent of all TV station owners. Thus, it comes as no surprise that content on local stations nationwide rarely serves the needs of minority audiences and their communities:
- 8 out of 10 Latino homes are not served by a Latino-owned station.
- 9 out of 10 African-American homes are not served by an African-American-owned station.
- 9 out of 10 Asian homes are not served by an Asian-owned station.
Minority ownership is much higher in other parts of the economy. In industries like transportation and health care, the number of minority owners is nearly 10 times greater than in the broadcast sector.
The percentages of businesses owned by minorities have increased over the past several years in nearly every sector of the economy except broadcast TV.
More Consolidation, Fewer Minorities
The FCC is now attempting to drastically increase media concentration, by allowing one company to own multiple television and radio stations, as well as a major daily newspaper in a single market.
This rule change would hasten the disappearance of the few minority–controlled stations that remain. The biggest losers would be people of color — the very groups that the FCC has been specifically tasked by Congress to assist.
Out of the Picture found that:
- Minority station owners often own just a single station and are particularly vulnerable to the effects of media consolidation.
- Minority-owners thrive in more competitive markets.
- Minority production of local news is far more likely to occur in a competitive market than in markets with less competition.
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Civil Rights Leaders Express Outrage
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Take Action: Defend Media Diversity
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Learn more about Off the Dial, our study of radio station ownership
