Academics call on major broadcasters to ‘confront and end systemic racism’ through reporting

Hundreds of media scholars and journalists signed a letter to the CEOs of six broadcast news networks urging them “to confront and end systemic racism in our nation” through their reporting. 

The letter, first obtained by the Los Angeles Times and sent to ABC, NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN and PBS, as well as commissioners with the Federal Communications Commission, also says “the increasing consolidation of media companies” has “essentially eliminated opportunities for underserved communities.”

It comes nearly one month since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which sparked mass protests across the country against racial inequality. It also comes as COVID-19 has hit Black communities particularly hard since the pandemic began in the U.S. several months ago.

“We need more honest, inclusive, and investigative TV news reporting to be able to confront and end systemic racism in our nation,” the letter signed by more than 320 scholars and journalists reads. 

It was co-authored by Anna Everett, a professor of Film and Media Studies at the University of California-Santa Barbara, and media scholar Lisa Parks, a professor of Comparative Media Studies and Science, Technology, & Society at MIT. 

“The increasing consolidation of media properties has effectively marginalized the voices and essentially eliminated opportunities for underserved communities to participate in this crucial pillar of American democracy and informed civic engagement,” Everett said in a statement.

“As traditional TV media industries confront the formidable challenges posed by the internet and social media competitors,” she continued. “TV network CEOs might want to ask themselves why audiences seek out these alternative voices and information sources, and interactive platforms?”

The letter also notes that approximately 1 percent of television stations are owned by minorities. 

Several programs have been canceled in recent weeks, spurred by the protests, including the highly rated “Live PD” by A&E and “Cops,” which aired for 31 years, by Paramount TV. 

Major consumers brands have also followed suit, with the owner of Eskimo Pie ice cream announcing on Friday it will change the name of its 99-year-old brand because the term is “derogatory.”

Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben’s also announced changes to their brands earlier this month, calling them racially insensitive.