Press Release

NAHJ Calls on the Latino Community, Journalists and the Public to Urge the FCC to Protect Minority Broadcast Ownership

The National Association of Hispanic Journalists is calling on journalists, communities of color and those who believe in diversity in media to tell the Federal Communications Commission to protect minority broadcast ownership by preventing further media consolidation.

The FCC is currently considering whether to loosen our nation’s broadcast ownership regulations. NAHJ is concerned that the FCC has not considered the impact of media consolidation on minority broadcast owners and on communities of color.

According to a new report by the non-profit group Free Press, people of color own just 3.26 percent of all TV stations in the nation. The study shows that figure has declined since 1996 as a result of consolidation.

NAHJ filed comments with the FCC in October opposing media consolidation. The association believes it is irresponsible for the FCC, an independent regulatory agency, to allow further consolidation without considering its impact on people of color who make up 33 percent of the U.S. population.

But this is exactly what the FCC is doing.

We want to remind the FCC and lawmakers that the public owns the airwaves. The disparity that exists in minority broadcast ownership is unacceptable.

NAHJ is also concerned that further consolidation has resulted in massive layoffs in newsroom jobs across the media industry and has affected the quality of coverage the public receives.

NAHJ believes increasing the number of minority owners will improve news and programming received by communities of color and increase diversity in the broadcast work force. Studies show that competition improves the quality of coverage, and experience tells us that minority ownership usually fosters a greater diversity of viewpoints among rank-and-file journalists and among the news media’s decision makers who shape news and information.

The FCC is currently accepting comments from the public on whether it should allow more consolidation. We urge you to make your voice heard on this debate by filing a comment with the commission now! Deadline to file is January 16.

Please use the following on-line form, created and administered by Free Press, that will allow you to register your comment directly with the FCC on this ownership proceeding. You can submit a comment already provided by Free Press or draft your own.