Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Addressing the Problem: Low Ownership Diversity of Broadcast and Cable Media
Chapter 2: “Black” Entertainment Television: From African American Ownership to Conglomerate Subordinate
Chapter 3: Media Regulation and Diversity: The Telecommunications Act of 1996 Diffuses Diversity of Ownership and Content
Chapter 4: Political Economy: Understanding Social Change and Historical Transformation
Chapter 5: Ethnic Media Centers of Symbolic Power

About the Author

Richard T. Craig is assistant professor of communication at George Mason University.

Reviews

"Richard Craig’s work exposes how monopolistic forces, with complicity of the Federal Communications Commission, have virtually abandoned the egalitarian notion that America’s public communications media should serve diverse cultural groups. His case study of BET reveals what can happen when capitalistic interests bring bottom line priorities to programming of a formerly minority owned media enterprise."
*Clint C. Wilson, Howard University*

"Focusing his lens on one of the most significant media networks airing content for Black audiences, Richard T. Craig levels a penetrating critique that is just as intellectually compelling as it is incisive; as generous and candid as it is provocative. He manages to offer a truly hard-hitting and yet balanced analysis of BET before and after its acquisition by Viacom. After reading this book you will want to thank Craig for the treasure that is African Americans and Mass Media: A Case for Diversity in Media Ownership."
*Ronald L. Jackson, University of Cincinnati*

"African Americans and Mass Media: A Case for Diversity in Media Ownership chronicles the ownership transition of BET from being a uniquely minority owned and operated company to being a generic outlet, owned and operated by a media conglomerate. Richard T. Craig examines the practice of deregulation prevalent in media markets around the world and its impact on the reduction of minority owned media outlets, and the subsequent silencing of minority voices."
*Desrene Vernon-Brebnor, Andrews University*