- Mar 11, 2015
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As we see in this forum much of the media depiction of blacks is negative. As an American institution, the media has the same problem with systemic racism as every other institution. Recently major newspapers have apologized for their coverage of the black community. Print media should not be apologizing alone.
A new Pew Research Center report released Tuesday centers on Black Americans and their experiences, habits and attitudes around news and information.
Key findings touch on everything from how news coverage of Black people is perceived to how coverage can be improved.
In 1967, the report notes, the Kerner Commission (which was undertaken by then-President Lyndon Johnson’s administration to investigate the causes behind urban riots) took a harsh view of the news media’s stance toward Black Americans. It cited sensationalist and divisive coverage, and found news media represented Black communities inaccurately and unfairly.
“More than half a century later, there is continued discussion of many of the themes raised in the report,” the 63-page report reads.
www.poynter.org
www.pewresearch.org
A new Pew Research Center report released Tuesday centers on Black Americans and their experiences, habits and attitudes around news and information.
Key findings touch on everything from how news coverage of Black people is perceived to how coverage can be improved.
In 1967, the report notes, the Kerner Commission (which was undertaken by then-President Lyndon Johnson’s administration to investigate the causes behind urban riots) took a harsh view of the news media’s stance toward Black Americans. It cited sensationalist and divisive coverage, and found news media represented Black communities inaccurately and unfairly.
“More than half a century later, there is continued discussion of many of the themes raised in the report,” the 63-page report reads.
63% of Black Americans say news about Black people is more negative, study finds - Poynter
A new Pew Research Center report centers on Black Americans and their experiences, habits and attitudes around news and information.
www.poynter.org
Black Americans’ Experiences With News
Black Americans are critical of news coverage of Black people and say educating journalists would make coverage fairer
Key takeaways
- Black Americans see several problems in news coverage of Black people. Most say that Black people are covered more negatively than people in other racial and ethnic groups.
- Black Democrats and Republicans, as well as Black adults across all age groups, are similarly critical of news coverage of Black people.
- Educating all journalists about issues impacting Black people and history is among the steps Black Americans say would help the situation.
- Many Black Americans say Black journalists are better at understanding them and covering issues related to race, though few see a reporter’s race as a key factor in determining the accuracy of news in general.
Black Americans’ Experiences With News
Black Americans see a range of problems with how Black people are covered in the news. Almost two-thirds of Black adults (63%) say news about Black people is often more negative than news about other racial and ethnic groups. And while few are optimistic that will change in the foreseeable...
www.pewresearch.org
