Description
Book SynopsisThis book examines race, media, and ownership diversity and argues that growing conglomerate media ownership hinders the diversity of voices and content. The focus on minority media ownership and the declining presence of minority media owners addresses a variety of social and political concerns connected to communication policy development.
Trade Review"Richard Craig’s work exposes how monopolistic forces, with complicity of the Federal Communications Commission, have virtually abandoned the egalitarian notion that America’s 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 is African 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
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Addressing the Problem: Low Ownership Diversity of Broadcast and Cable Media Chapter 2: “Black” Entertainment Television: From African American Ownership to Conglomerate Subordinate Chapter 3: Media Regulation and Diversity: The Telecommunications Act of 1996 Diffuses Diversity of Ownership and Content Chapter 4: Political Economy: Understanding Social Change and Historical Transformation Chapter 5: Ethnic Media Centers of Symbolic Power
