Equal Opportunity in the New Millennium

Diversity in Broadcast Television Employment & Ownership

Opportunities, Post Telecommunications Act

1997 - 2002Kevin R. Slaughter

George Mason University, Fairfax Virginia

Minority Employment & Ownership:Where Are We in 2003?

Annenberg Public Policy Center Study

13% of the top executives of media, telecom, and e-companies are women;

9% of women serve on their boards of directors.

Minority Employment & Ownership:Where Are We in 2003?

The Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG)

24% of roles went to people of color. Although women make up the majority

of Americans, 62% of the roles cast went to men.

Men had nearly double the number of roles worked twice as many days as women in roles cast for TV/Theatrical projects.

Minority Employment & Ownership:Where Are We in 2003?

Share of All 2000 TV/Theatrical Roles

Caucasian 76.1%African American 14.8%Latino/Hispanic 4.9%Asian/Pacific 2.6%Unknown/Other 1.3%Native American 0.3%

Source: http://www.sag.org/diversity/castingdata.html

Minority Employment & Ownership:Where Are We in 2003?

Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics Projections (2000-2010)

The women’s labor force will grow faster than men’s, and women’s share of the labor force will increase to 48% in 2010.

The Asian and Hispanic labor force groups are projected to increase faster than other groups (44% and 36%, respectively).

Minority Employment & Ownership:Where Are We in 2003?

Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics Projections (2000-2010)

The black labor force is expected to grow by 21%, more than twice as fast as the 9% growth rate for the white labor force.

The share of the labor force will increase to 6% for Asians and 13% for Hispanics in 2010.

White non-Hispanics will see their share of the labor force decrease to 69% in 2010.

Minority Employment & Ownership:Where Are We in 2003?

Source: http://search.ntia.doc.gov/pdf/mtdpreportv2.pdf

U.S. Television Station Ownership

Non-Minority/Non-Competitors 84.7%Non-Minority Competitors 13.3%African American 1.7%Asian American 0.2%Hispanic American 0.1%Native American 0.0%

Minority Employment & Ownership:Where Are We in 2003?

Source: http://search.ntia.doc.gov/pdf/mtdpreportv2.pdf

Television Stations by Race or Ethnicity

Non-Minority 1166African American 20Asian American 2Hispanic American 1

The FCC’s Agenda: Reviewing the Broadcast Ownership Rules

Source: http://www.fema.gov/pao/opaseal.htm

The FCC’s Agenda: Reviewing the

Broadcast Ownership Rules(h) FURTHER COMMISSION REVIEW. –

The Commission shall review its rules adopted to this section and all of its ownership rules biennially as part of its regulatory reform review under section 11 of the Communications Act of 1934 and shall determine whether any of such rules are necessary in the public interest as the result of competition…

The FCC’s Agenda: Reviewing the

Broadcast Ownership Rules Broadcast-Newspaper Cross

Ownership Local Radio Ownership Television-Radio Cross Ownership Dual Network Ownership National Television Ownership Local Television Ownership

The FCC’s Agenda: Reviewing theBroadcast Ownership Rules

(1) NATIONAL OWNERSHIP LIMITATIONS. - The Commission shall modify its rules for multiple ownership set forth in section 73.3555 of its regulations (47 C.F.R. 73.3555) -

The FCC’s Agenda: Reviewing theBroadcast Ownership Rules

(A) by eliminating the restrictions on the number of television stations that a person or entity may directly or indirectly own, operate, or control, or have a cognizable interest in, nationwide; and

(B) by increasing the national audience reach limitation for television stations to 35 percent.

The FCC’s Agenda: Reviewing theBroadcast Ownership Rules

(2) LOCAL OWNERSHIP LIMITATIONS. - The Commission shall conduct a rulemaking proceeding to determine whether to retain, modify, or eliminate its limitations on the number of television stations that a person or entity may own, operate, or control, or have a cognizable interest in, within the same television market.

Kathleen Q. Abernathy, FCC Commissioner

“I don’t want to see women who are equally qualified and equally capable kept from attaining the same levels of achievement as their male counterparts.”

- Kathleen Q. AbernathyFebruary 26th, 2002

Image: http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/abernathy/biography.html

Jonathan S. Adelstein, FCC Commissioner

“Ownership consolidation in local markets by definition reduces competition and puts programming decisions into the comparatively fewer, often national players.”

- Jonathan S. AdelsteinFebruary 26th, 2002

Image: http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/adelstein/welcome.html

Michael J. Copps, FCC Commissioner

“I am concerned… about consolidation in the media… I don’t believe that we have the foggiest idea right now about the potential consequences of our actions.”

- Michael J. CoppsJanuary 16th, 2003

Image: http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/copps/biography.html

Kevin J. Martin, FCC Commissioner

“I remain committed to doing everything I can to ensure that the FCC adopts ownership rules that protect competition, diversity, and localism in today’s media environment.”

- Kevin J. MartinJanuary 16th, 2003

Image: http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/martin/welcome.html

Michael K. Powell, FCC Chairman

“The public interest is all about promoting diversity, localism, and competition. We can achieve these goals – and the courts will agree with us – if we do it the right way.”

Michael PowellFebruary 27th, 2003

Image: http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/powell/

Building a Public Record to Review FCC Ownership Rules October 29th, 2001 – Chairman Powell

creates the Media Ownership Working Group. September 12th, 2002 – FCC initiates the

third Biennial Review of the Broadcast Ownership Rules.

October 1st, 2002 - FCC releases 12 empirical Media Ownership Working Group studies on the current state of mass media, including “how media ownership affects diversity, localism, and competition.”

Building a Public Record to Review FCC Ownership Rules

FCC receives over 3,000 comments on the 12 studies – 2,900 from “individual citizens.”

FCC holds Public Forums on Media Ownership:- January 16th, 2003 at Columbia University Law School in New York, NY;- February 27th, 2003 at Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia;- March 7th, 2003 at University of Washington in Seattle, Washington.- March 31st, 2003 at Duke University Law School in Durham, North Carolina.

Building a Public Record to Review FCC Ownership Rules

FCC receives 15,000 comments from the general public alone regarding the Commission’s review of broadcast ownership regulations.

The FCC will announce its decision regarding the broadcast ownership rules on June 2nd, 2003.

Senator John McCain, R-AZ

“Minorities are woefully under represented in the ownership of commercial broadcast facilities… We should ensure that the American media landscape includes opportunities for these voices to be heard.”

– Sen. John McCainJanuary 30th, 2003

Image: http://mccain.senate.gov/senatephoto.htm

The Telecommunications Ownership Diversity Act of 2003 January 30th - McCain introduces S. 3112 The legislation’s principle ambitions:

- Encourages ownership of telecom companies by women and people of color.- Institutes market-based, voluntary measures to achieve ownership goals and provide competition from small businesses.

The Telecommunications Ownership Diversity Act of 2003

- Provides sellers of telecom assets a tax deferral when those assets are bought for cash by certain small businesses.- Provides investors an incentive to consider certain small businesses by providing a reduction in the tax on gains from investments in these companies.

The Act is an Old Gift in a New Wrapper…

Tax certificate concept was introduced originally during the Carter Administration in 1978.

Despite objections of minority broadcasters and industry associations such as NAB, Congress repealed the tax certificate program in 1995.

The FCC issued 359 tax certificates to promote minority ownership before Congress discontinued the program..

The Act is an Old Gift in a New Wrapper…

McCain attempted to re-introduce the act at the end of the 106th Congress, but was unsuccessful.

April 7, 2003 - Senate Commerce Committee announces it will hold further hearings on the national media ownership issue.

Senator Byron L. Dorgan, D-ND

“For decades, our communications policy has imposed sensible restrictions on media ownership to promote and preserve multiple, independent voices…”

– Sen. Byron L. DorganJune 19th, 2001

Image: http://dorgan.senate.gov/images/byron.jpg

Senator Byron L. Dorgan, D-ND “Unfortunately, the rules that protect this

diversity are under assault: from regulators, judges and from the industry itself... In our view, the proponents of deregulation and consolidation have yet to prove their claims… This is not just about competition between major media conglomerates. It’s a question of whether we want all of the media outlets in this country to be controlled by a powerful few.”

– Sen. Byron L. DorganJanuary 30th, 2003

Source: htp://dorgan.senate.gov/images/byron.jpg

Senator Ernest F. Hollings, D-SC “Diversity in ownership

creates opportunities for smaller companies and local business men and women to have a voice… Deregulation without reasoned justification is nothing more than deregulation for its own sake.”

– Sen. Ernest F. HollingsJune 19th, 2001

Image: http://commerce.senate.gov/about/ranking.html

Senator Ernest F. Hollings, D-SC “… Indeed, it is the preservation of

diversity and localism that promotes competition and choices for advertisers; that creates opportunities for small companies, minorities, and women; that allows innovative programming to find an outlet; and that ensures that the interests of each community is served by the license of this public asset.”

– Sen. Ernest F. HollingsJanuary 30th, 2003

Source: http://hollings.senate.gov/statements/2003130406.html

Conclusion“Unless there is greater activism on media issues, it is likely that the pattern of control today by a few major conglomerates over the US media system will continue into the digital age. And hopes for greater diversity of ownership by communities of color will fade out.”

- Center for Digital DemocracyDecember 16, 2002

Thank You!

Works CitedAbernathy, Kathleen Q. “Fostering Equal

Employment Opportunities for Women.” American Women in Radio and Television Power Breakfast. Washington. 26 Feb. 2002. 28 March 2003 <http://www.fcc.gov/Speeches/Abernathy/

2002/spkqa202.html>.Abernathy, Kathleen Q. “Opening Remarks.”

Broadcast Ownership En Banc. Convention Center. Richmond. 27 Feb. 2003. 28 March 2003 <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-231596A1.pdf>.

Works CitedAdelstein, Jonathan S. “The Last DJ?: Finding a

Voice on Media Ownership.” The Future of Music Coalition Policy Summit 2003. Georgetown University, Washington. 6 Jan. 2003. 11 Feb. 2003 <http://www.fcc.gov/Speeches/Adelstein/

2003/spjsa301.html>.Ahrens, Frank. “Member of FCC Pushes

Ownership Debate.” Washington Post.com 6 Feb. 2003. 11 Feb. 2003 <http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A32076-2003Feb5?language=printer>.

Works Cited“BLS Releases 2000-2010 Employment

Projections.” United States. Dept. of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 3 Dec. 2001. 30 Sept. 2002 <http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.nr0.htm>.

“Changes, Challenges, and Charting New Courses: Minority Commercial Broadcast Ownership in the United States.” United States. Dept. of Commerce. Nat. Telecommunications and Information Administration. 31 Dec. 2000. 30 Sept. 2002 <http://search.ntia.doc.gov/pdf/mtdpreportv2.pdf>.

Works CitedCopps, Michael J. “Opening Remarks.” Columbia

Law School Forum on Media Ownership. New York. 16 Jan. 2003. 26 March 2003 <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-230398A1.pdf>.

Goldstein, Jordan. “FCC Commissioner Copps Announces Public Hearing on Media Concentration in Durham, NC, on March 31.” United States. Federal Communications Commission. Washington. 26 March 2003 <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-232533A1.pdf>.

Works CitedHollings, Ernest F. and Byron L. Dorgan.

“Your Local Station, Signing Off.” Opinion. United States. Congress. Senate. Washington. 19 June 2001. 28 March 2003 <http://hollings.sentate.gov/~hollings/opinion/2002620B39.html>.

Hollings, Ernest F. “Statement of U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings on Ownership in the Radio Industry.” United States. Congress. Senate. Washington. 30 Jan. 2003. 28 March 2003 <http://hollings.sentate.gov/~hollings/statements/2003130406.html>.

Works CitedKrasnow, Erwin G. and Lisa M. Fowlkes. “The

FCC’s Minority Tax Certificate Program: A Proposal for Life After Death.” Federal Communications Law Journal. Vol. 51. No. 3. pp. 665-679. 25 May 1999. 19 April 2003 <http://www.law.indiana.edu/fclj/pubs/v51/no3/kramac9.PDF>.

Martin, Kevin J. “Opening Remarks.” Columbia Law School Forum on Media Ownership. Kernochan Center for Law, Media, and the Arts. New York. 16 Jan. 2003. 28 March 2003 <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-230399A1.pdf>.

Works CitedMcCain, John. “Telecom Ownership Needs to be

Diversified.” Statement. United States. Congress. Senate. Washington. 20 Oct. 1999. 28 March 2003 <http://mccain.senate.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=Newscenter.Viewpressrelease&Content_id=598>.

“Minority Ownership of Major Media: An Endangered Species Going Extinct – Conglomerates to Gobble Up Rest of Minority Media Pie.” Market Watch. Center for Digital Democracy. 16 Dec. 2002. 22 March 2003 <http://www.democraticmedia.org/news/marketwatch/minoritymedia_jeff.htm>.

Works CitedPelofsky, Jeremy. “Senate Panel to Review

Media Ownership Again.” Reuters. 7 April 2003. 7 April 2003 <http://www.reuters.com/printerFriendlyPopup.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=2524179>.

Pialorsi, Pia. “McCain Bill Diversifies Ownership in Telecommunications Industry.” United States. Congress. Senate. Washington. 30 Jan. 2003. 22 Feb. 2003. <http://mccain.senate.gov/telecomtax.htm>.

Works CitedPowell, Michael K. “Opening Statement.”

Public Hearing on Broadcast Ownership. Convention Center. Richmond. 27 Feb. 2003. 20 April 2003 <http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-231595A1.pdf>.

Rawls, Dana. “Minorities and the Media: Little Ownership and Even Less Control.” AlterNet.org 12 Dec. 2002. 22 March 2003 <http://www.alternet.org/print.html?StoryID=14751>.

Works CitedRusso, Michelle. “FCC Chairman Michael Powell

Announces Creation of Media Ownership Working Group.” United States. Federal Communications Commission. Washington. 29 Oct. 2001. 11 Oct. 2002

<http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Miscellaneous/News_Releases/2001/nrmc0124.html>.

Sanders, Edmund. “Media Giants at Odds Over FCC Cap on TV Station Ownership.” Los Angeles Times. Latimes.com. 18 Feb. 2003. 22 Feb. 2003

<http://www.latimes.com/templates/misc/printstory.jsp?slug=la%2Dfi%2Dfcc18feb18&section=/printstory>.

Works Cited“Screen Actors Guild Employment Statistics

Reveal Increases in Total TV/Theatrical Roles and Increases for All Minorities in 2000.” Screen Actors Guild. Los Angeles. 30 Sept. 2002. <http://www.sag.org/diversity/castingdata.html>.

Telecommunications Act of 1996, Pub. LA. No. 104-104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996). 47 C.F.R. 73.3555. pp. 67-68. Federal Communications Commission. Washington. 20 April 2003 <http://www.fcc.gov/Reports/tcom1996.pdf>.

About the Author Adjunct Professor, George

Mason University Dept. of Communication, Fairfax, Virginia. Course: Mass Media and Communication Systems

Director of Cablecast Operations, GMU-TV/The Capitol Connection, Fairfax, Virginia

M.A. Telecommunications, George Mason University

B.S. Mass Communication, Radio/TV/Film, Norfolk State University

Image: Kevin R. Slaughter, George Mason University