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.
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