Tale of Two Cities: The Role of Routines and Ownership in Presentation of Black Males on Television News

• In Event: Multicultural Studies Divisions - Top Paper Presentations

Abstract

Researchers have examined the diversity of news for decades. Examination of source portrayal in news often shows representation of whites is more varied than coverage of Blacks (Entman, 1994), and studies suggest these negative, often stereotypical portrayals of Black males bleed into real-life experiences for minority communities (Kumah-Abiwu, 2019). While more modern studies suggest some progress has been made in terms of multiperspectival news (Chiricos & Eschholz, 2002), recent racial reconciliation movements and increasing emphasis on diversity in staff and programming call this issue back into question to see if portrayals are truly improving. Additionally, previous scholars suggest organizational, social, and cultural factors may have heavy influences on how minority communities are represented, but very little analysis has been conducted to determine the factors of influence on multiperspectival news coverage. This study seeks to identify these factors at the macro-levels of analysis. Through a content analysis of newscasts from two Southern markets in the United States, this research seeks to better understand what influence, if any, station diversity, ownership, routines and norms, and demographic location factors had on the ways Black males were portrayed in local news. Through the lens of Shoemaker and Reese’s Hierarchy of Influences model, this study provides insight into the ways macro-level factors can affect how minorities are portrayed in local television news content.

Authors

• Danielle F Deavours, Samford University

• George L. Daniels, University of Alabama

• Keonte Coleman