The United States is culturally diverse with African American and Latino ethnic groups alone making up nearly one-third of the population. The media however, from video games to the prime time news cast, is not as diverse. There are not enough minorities in the media; there is not fair representation in news and entertainment. How do the number of minorities on TV, in the news, and in the movies compare to the percentages of different ethnic groups in the country? How does a lack of diversity in the media impact society?
Minorities in the Media Compared to the National Ethnic Breakdown
According to the US Census Bureau for 2009 just over 65 percent of the population is white. Minorities, or people of color, make up just under 35 percent, with the percentage of Latinos in the US being 15.8 percent, of African Americans, 12.9 percent, and the third largest minority group, Asians, making up just under five percent of the American population.
How many minorities are in the media? According to the American Screen Actors Guild, in 2008 of all television and theatrical roles, excluding animation, the percentage of different ethnic groups is as follows:
- Caucasian — 72.5
- African American — 13.3
- Latino — 6.4
- Asian — 3.8
- Native American — .3
For leading roles the percentage of Caucasian characters is higher and that of minority roles is lower for all minority groups. Comparing the numbers of the actual population to those of the people presented on screen, there is not enough diversity in the media. The ethnic group with the greatest disparity between the numbers in reality and those for television and film roles is the Latino population.
According to a study done by PBS, looking at the numbers of both minorities and women in the media, only 18.3 percent of the major networks prime time news cast is not white. How does the viewing public make sense of the number disparities? How aware are individuals of the fact that different ethnic groups are not represented fairly in the media?
Racial Inequality Behind the Scenes
Where there is even less diversity than on the screen is behind the scenes. 86.9 percent of television news directors are white according to the Radio-Television News Directors Association & Foundation. While the minority population has been steadily rising, increasing by almost ten percent since 1990, the percentage of minorities working in the television industry has only increased by 2.4 percent.
In 2000 the NAACP took a survey of Hollywood screenwriters. Only seven percent of participants were not white. Not only are there very few ethnic writers creating the content that people are watching, but those screenwriters who are of color almost always write for ethnic television shows only. On the other hand white writers often create for television shows that are focused on an ethnic group.
Why Diversity in the Media Is Important
Why does this matter? Why is it important for there to be more minorities in the media? Because media influences society. What people watch does have an impact on how they perceive the world around them. George Gerber, a professor at Temple University, points out that if a person, especially a child, sees that they are under-represented in the media they are likely to perceive their opportunities in life as just as limiting. Could greater representation in news and entertainment have a positive impact on how different ethnic groups are treated and respected in society?
On television, in the news, and in movies ethnic groups are a minority. In reality, minorities are society. Continuing to present a white dominated world, rather than embracing the benefits and opportunities of diversity, only stifles the evolution of everyone.
References
Papper, Bob. "Number of Minority Journalists Down in 2009; Story Mixed for Female Journalists." (RTNDF Newsroom Diversity Project, 2009).
2007 & 2008 Casting Data Reports (Screen Actors Guild).
Brenna Coleman - Brenna is a freelance writer focusing on natural health and beauty. She has written hundreds of articles, helping readers find ways to ...
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