Minority news staffers lose ground

The latest study from the Radio-Television News Directors Association and Ball State University shows that minorities make up a greater percentage of the US population than ever, but the percentage working in broadcast news seems to be going in the other direction. Minorities in 2007 comprised 34.5% of all US citizens, but made up only 21.5% of the televisions news workforce, down from 22.2% in 2006; and only 6.2% of the radio news workforce, down from 6.4% in 2006. African-American participation in both media increased year-to-year, but Hispanics, Asian Americans and Native Americans all experienced losses (see chart).

Taking a longer range view back to 1995, Hispanics have doubled their presence on the television side, 4.2% to 8.2%, but have almost disappeared on the radio side, dropping from 7.5% to 0.7%. Overall, Caucasian newsers on TV have dropped from 82.9% of the total workforce to 78.5%, leaving more room for minority staffers. On the radio side, the trend has been the opposite, with Caucasians growing from 85.3% to 93.8%. Changes in the Hispanic news staff seemed to be the primary fuel for the overall changes in both media.

Broadcast News Workforce

Television	2007	2006	2005	2000	1995
Caucasian	78.50%	77.80%	78.80%	79.00%	82.90%
African American	10.10%	9.50%	10.30%	11.00%	10.10%
Hispanic	8.70%	9.60%	8.70%	7.00%	4.20%
Asian American	2.30%	2.70%	1.90%	3.00%	2.20%
Native American	0.40%	0.50%	0.30%	<1.0%	0.60%
Radio	2007	2006	2005	2000	1995
Caucasian	93.80%	93.60%	92.10%	90.00%	85.30%
African American	3.30%	2.50%	0.70%	5.00%	5.70%
Hispanic	0.70%	1.90%	6.00%	3.00%	7.50%
Asian American	1.10%	1.80%	0.70%	1.00%	0.60%
Native American	1.10%	0.20%	0.50%	1.00%	1.00%

Source: Radio-Television News Directors Association and Ball State University

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