FCC should approve Standard General/TEGNA deal – New York Daily News

Final month, the Federal Communications Fee (FCC) issued a media-ownership diversity report that exposed dismal progress amid public outcry to realize range, fairness, and inclusion (DEI) in sectors throughout America, together with broadcast media.

Because the Asian-American neighborhood continues to face challenges, we are able to take coronary heart within the data {that a} pending acquisition will speed up minority media possession to assist safeguard equity and variety in journalism.

Commonplace Common’s acquisition of TEGNA media group, an modern firm that at present owns tv stations in 51 U.S. markets, will create the biggest minority-owned and female-led broadcasting firm in our nation’s historical past. It’s going to improve minority possession of economic tv stations by 300%, emphasizing information protection that tells everybody’s story, not simply that of the white majority that has traditionally dominated newsrooms and media administration.

Soo Kim’s management position on the enterprise that Commonplace Common’s acquisition of TEGNA will kind will guarantee Asian-American voices are heard and revered within the information.

Asian-People are the fastest-growing ethnic group within the U.S., and their numbers are anticipated to virtually double over the following 40 years. However too usually, we see media depictions of Asians as one-dimensional stereotypes as an alternative of the multifaceted neighborhood they’re. It’s essential that Asian-People obtain truthful and equal illustration each in entrance of and behind information cameras.

My lifelong involvement in efficiency and the humanities and my work as a producer at TYT, the world’s greatest on-line information community for millennials, have proven me the necessity for a various journalistic workforce and company management in broadcasting. Kim is a revered chief within the Asian-American neighborhood and an achieved entrepreneur and businessperson. Immigrating to the US from South Korea as a baby, he guided Commonplace Common’s noteworthy successes for greater than 20 years.

Kim has clearly said his intentions to make tv information extra aware of the wants and considerations of native viewing audiences and extra inclusive of all voices locally, not simply the bulk inhabitants. His constructive imaginative and prescient for broadcast information on the native degree, coupled with TEGNA’s vital footprint within the business, will give Asians and all different minorities equal consideration in information and different programming.

Native broadcasting performs an unlimited and nonetheless growing position in how People get their information. As an increasing number of newspapers shut their doorways, individuals flip to native tv stations for neighborhood reporting. However for Asians and different minorities, the individuals reporting usually don’t mirror the variety of their audiences.

Whereas virtually half of the Asian-American/Pacific Islander inhabitants lives within the prime 20 designated tv market areas, 70% of native stations in these markets don’t have on-air employees similar to the native AAPI inhabitants. In 25% of the stations in these markets, there aren’t any AAPIs on the air in any respect.

Clearly, that form of underrepresentation fails to serve Asian-American viewers. Even probably the most well-intentioned majority of journalists merely don’t have the perception on main points that solely comes from dwelling the Asian-American expertise, making it inconceivable for them to supply the nuanced reporting all their viewers deserve.

I feel I communicate for a lot of Asian-People in media industries once I specific full help for Commonplace Common’s acquisition of TEGNA. I’m excited concerning the new alternatives and providers it should present and eagerly look ahead to seeing how Kim’s management will change U.S. journalism for the higher.

Kim is a media and performing arts producer.