Diversity of opinion is fundamental to democracy; it is unacceptable that the leading and most diverse democracy, the United States, misrepresents minorities and women in the important industry of communications. The communications industry determines what information reaches the public and how it is presented. Minority representation in the communications industry is essential to guaranteeing a thorough coverage of pertinent issues. Although minorities have a voice through minority owned media outlets, they are underrepresented in most of the industry. The problem is aggravated by consolidation of the industry and the non-consolidation of workers. The Federal Communications Commission no longer provides accurate and vital data regarding minorities in the industry. The Institute for Women's Policy Research recently published an extensive report on the issue, despite FCC policies, entitled "Making the Right Call: Jobs and Diversity in the Communications and Media Sector." Please urge the FCC to require relevant statistics on minority representation in order to bring attention to the issue.

The report can be found HERE.

From Linlee Ziegler and Becca Cobbs