Study claims TV lacks diversity in skin colour?

**Specter_987** · 05-10-09, 08:30 PM

http://tvguide.sympatico.msn.ca/Stud..._MH.htm?isfa=1

Television is increasingly white, says NAACP

According to a new report titled "Out of Focus, Out of Sync," there is a “serious shortage of minority faces” in prime-time TV.

In fact, researchers at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) claim that diversity is regressing to previously low levels of representation.

The report showed that the number of minorities in regular or recurring roles in scripted series on CBS, Fox and NBC in the 2006-07 season are down compared to earlier peaks, reports Variety

One network did increase its diversity, though: ABC. The Alphabet Network went from 74 parts cast with minority actors in 2002-03 to 116 in 2006-07. A likely boost is Ugly Betty, which focuses on a Latino family and features Vanessa Williams and America Ferrera as leads. (CBS did draw kudos for its casting of Dennis Haysbert on The Unit, though.)

The study also laments the "virtual disappearance of black programming" since UPN and The WB merged to become The CW. Previously, the two networks aired Moesha, The Parkers and Girlfriends, which featured largely African-American casts.

Now, as the CW, core programming includes 90210, One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl – all of which mainly focus on white characters.

“It is hard to draw any positive conclusions when, as stated in the June 20, 2008, issue of Entertainment Weekly, the only minority 'lead' in a new show on a major network for the 2008-09 TV season is Cleveland Brown, an African-American animated character voiced by a white person," the report states.

Also among the findings is the claim that that the economic crisis will make it harder for minorities to get work in the industry.

“There is anecdotal evidence that the recent WGA strike and the economic concerns that it engendered have only entrenched members of the various guilds in the long-held habits of nepotism and cronyism, causing them to make sure that they take care of friends and family,” the report states.

One television genre finding favour with the NAACP is reality TV. According to the report, shows like Survivor and American Idol are "likely to be more diverse in casting than their scripted counterparts." We’d even venture to add America’s Next Top Model to that list, as it shows a high percentage of minority contestants and is hosted by Tyra Banks.

"All four major broadcast networks have made important strides in increasing diversity. More actors of color are on-air, particularly as ensemble players,” the report states. Network television places more emphasis on outreach and recruitment of qualified minority candidates, and the number of people of colour employed in creative positions has seen small increases.

“However, as captured through the lens of broadcast television, Native Americans continue to be a faceless, voiceless group within American society, their relevance seemingly reduced to a distant, historical connection."

The report is the NAACP's fourth assessment of network hiring of actors, writers and executives. It does not include the past TV season and the current one, so recent industry changes, including the casting of Laurence Fishburne as the lead on CSI, were not considered.

The NAACP recommends a task force comprising network heads, diversity executives and minority groups to amend their agreements. It also suggested a boycott if “tangible progress” doesn’t occur.

Basically the NAACP is complaining saying there aren't enough minority people on TV....

**Anti-Squeaker** · 05-10-09, 08:36 PM

the NAACP is always bitching about something. If they want to get more black people on TV, bitch at Fox or ABC. Personally, one my favorite shows is the Lopez show. Theres like one white guy on there. Is the KKK gonna come and complain? Or say that BET is racist?

**DJ Ms. White** · 05-10-09, 10:30 PM

Maybe if the shows specifically aimed at black people were any good. More often then not, the writers for those go for really hammy low quality scripts. There used to be some really good shows on, too. (In Living Color, anyone?) The point is that it's like the people behind BET and other traditional black channels are thinking that dumbed down scripts will attract even their target viewers.

There's plenty of good Hispanic programming out there. (I love Sabado Gigante and some of the culebras; haven't watched any in a while though). Those shows get plenty of good ratings and viewerships in the US, too.

**Consultant** · 05-10-09, 11:30 PM

If anybody but the NAACP called them "colored people" - I wonder what would happen.

:3

**asianator365** · 05-10-09, 11:35 PM

The NAACP isn't fit to kiss my "colored" ass. And yes, I can say that as an Asian.

NAACP

**~~Cecil900~~** · 05-10-09, 11:38 PM

The NAACP wouldn't be satisfied until there isn't a white person on TV, since thet are in reality for the superiority of "Colored People", not the equality.

**Watsyurdeal?** · 05-11-09, 12:15 AM

They're bullshit, they want handouts, that's it. Slavery ended over a 100 years ago and the Civil Rights movement was successful and they have the same rights as everyone else. If they believe they're getting much more they must be joking.

And as far as the race card goes, that became null and void when Obama became president.

**Graverunner** · 05-11-09, 08:29 AM

I'm guessing the naacp has never watched mtv.....or any other popular channel?

**deathgodusmc** · 05-11-09, 08:47 AM

Im just curious as to which channels they are watching. Not that i watch alot of tv but when i do i dont remember ever setting out looking for a program with a certain race in it. Maybe someone should sue the NAACP for discrimination and see what happens.