African Americans and Mass Media: A Case for Diversity in Media Ownership

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Description

In African Americans and Mass Media, Richard T. Craig explores the relationship among the lack of media ownership diversity, in addition to the political, and economical, influences, and policy developments influencing media ownership. Craig also addresses the concern of growing media monopolies and the decline in minority media ownership since the passing of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Focusing the policy argument on this act and the deregulation of media ownership, this book explores, the jeopardy jeopardizing of diminishedas well as the influence on content. Observing Black Entertainment Television (BET) in the last five years of African American ownership and the first five years of conglomerate ownershipparalleling the first decade after the Telecommunications Act was passedthe book includes information about the changes made to information programming on the network. Craig asserts that despite the overwhelming presence of African Americans holding executive positions with the network, Viacom, BETs current owner, influences the networks programming and relegates the cultural identity of the network to profit interests. BET is observed as a case study reflective of the importance ethnic media and perspectives reflective of cultural ethnic identities, targeting ethnic audiences. African Americans and Mass Media chronicles the significance of ethnic media, drawing particular attention to African American media in the United States, and advocates for increased communication policy development bolstering minority ownership.

Reviews

Richard Craigs work exposes how monopolistic forces, with complicity of the Federal Communications Commission, have virtually abandoned the egalitarian notion that Americas public communications media should serve diverse cultural groups. His case study of BET reveals what can happen when capitalistic interests bring bottom line priorities to programming of a formerly minority owned media enterprise. -- Clint C. Wilson, Howard University
Focusing his lens on one of the most significant media networks airing content for Black audiences, Richard T. Craig levels a penetrating critique that is just as intellectually compelling as it is incisive; as generous and candid as it is provocative.He manages to offer a truly hard-hitting and yet balanced analysis of BET before and after its acquisition by Viacom.After reading this book you will want to thank Craig for the treasure that isAfrican Americans and Mass Media: A Case for Diversity in Media Ownership. -- Ronald L. Jackson, University of Cincinnati
"African Americans and Mass Media: A Case for Diversity in Media Ownership chronicles the ownership transition of BET from being a uniquely minority owned and operated company to being a generic outlet, owned and operated by a media conglomerate. Richard T. Craig examines the practice of deregulation prevalent in media markets around the world and its impact on the reduction of minority owned media outlets, and the subsequent silencing of minority voices." -- Desrene Vernon-Brebnor, Andrews University

Author Bio

Richard T. Craig is assistant professor of communication at George Mason University.