Study finds Black Americans feel news portrays them unfairly

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center indicates that a majority of Black Americans believe their communities are unfairly depicted in news coverage. The findings suggest a disconnect between efforts to improve diversity and inclusion within newsrooms and the perceptions of those communities.

The survey, conducted over the winter with nearly 5,000 adults, explored opinions on how Black communities are portrayed in the news media. Results revealed widespread concerns about negative portrayals and stereotypes.

Perceptions of News Coverage

Nearly two-thirds of Black Americans surveyed believe their communities receive more negative coverage than other racial and ethnic groups. Roughly four in 10 respondents stated they sometimes or fairly often observe racist or racially insensitive coverage, as well as stereotyping of Black people. These feelings were consistent across both Black Democrats and Republicans.

Efforts Following George Floyd’s Death

The survey’s findings reflect challenges faced by newsrooms following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. While many outlets focused on hiring for diversity and inclusion roles and covering underrepresented communities, the survey suggests these efforts have not fully addressed concerns about fairness in coverage. The news industry’s ongoing experience with layoffs further complicates these efforts.

Lack of Nuance and Historical Context

Charles Whitaker, dean of the Northwestern University’s Medill school of journalism, noted that the lack of nuance in coverage is a longstanding concern among Black Americans. He stated that many feel they are often portrayed as either victims of crimes or those who commit them. Survey respondents emphasized the importance of educating journalists about the history and context surrounding issues facing Black communities.

Desired Changes in Newsrooms

A majority of Black Americans surveyed believe that including more Black people as sources in news coverage would improve perceptions of fairness. Hiring more Black individuals in leadership positions and hiring more Black reporters were also seen as crucial steps toward more equitable coverage. Respondents indicated that coverage of race and racial inequity should ideally be reported by Black reporters, although this was considered less important for overall news coverage.

Limited Confidence in Future Coverage

Few respondents, regardless of age, expressed confidence that their communities will be covered fairly over the course of their lifetimes. Richard Prince, a columnist for the Journal-isms newsletter, noted that Black Americans, like other groups, desire to be portrayed as sharing the same concerns as everyone else. He acknowledged some progress in upper newsroom positions, but also pointed to the challenges posed by industry-wide layoffs.