comments to the Federal Communications Commission on its Notice of Inquiry (NOI) considering Diverse and Independent Sources of Video Programming. The comments describe the lack of diversity on broadcast and cable programming (both behind and in front of the camera). Included are discouraging representation statistics amongst several underrepresented groups, including Latinos, who make up only five percent of all roles on scripted broadcast television shows despite accounting for more than 17 percent of the American population. Along the same lines, Latinos constitute less than one percent of news media coverage, and only 1.8 percent of news producers are Latinos. Within the comments, signers urged the FCC to thoroughly examine the NOI's record and set forth proposals that will help audiences gain access to diverse independent programmers. The FCC's Notice of Inquiry invited interested parties to discuss the market for independent programming and its impact on diversity and consumers. NHMC joined the American Civil Liberties Union, Common Cause, Communications Workers of America, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the National Consumer Law Center, the National Disability Rights Network, the National Urban League, OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, and the United Church of Christ Office of Communications in signing the comments.]]>
