"A VIRTUAL WHITEWASH"?

August 1999
		The NAACP challenged NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox over the lack of minority characters in their new fall programming. Two experts take your questions.

Forum introduction Should the networks be required to have minorities in leading roles? Do some minority characters reinforce stereotypes? What about diversity behind the cameras? What can minorities do to help diversify television? Are the networks misrepresenting the U.S. to an international audience?   July 26, 1999: A discussion about diversity on television. December 12, 1995: A newsmaker interview with Kweisi Mfume. Browse the NewsHour's coverage of race relations and the media.     The NAACP NBC ABC CBS FOX

Mark Richman of Portland, Oregon asks: Should the networks be legally required to have minorities in leading roles? Does the airwaves belonging to the public mean that the government should be able to micromanage programming?   Damon Standifer responds: I believe the casting of minorities in leading roles is one way to increase the overall quality of network television. However involving the government in network programming would become problematic. There would exist the possibility that government would restrict the artistic freedom of producers, writers and directors (something already done because networks answer to advertisers). This government micromanaging would merely create a new form of tokenism. Because these roles would have to appease the often-contradictory definitions of positive images made by the various advocacy organizations, a whole new set of problems will be created. We would now have a new lineup of mostly bland, superfluous minority characters. Actors will chafe artistically because they have nothing to do. The final results will be more charges of racism because white actors get the meatier roles.   Earl Ofari Hutchinson responds: No, there should be no legal requirement to have minorities in leading roles. This would be tantamount to demanding a quota system. It would be impractical not to mention unenforceable. No, the government should not manage programming. However there should be a return to the old fairness doctrine which legally mandated that different points of view be aired.

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