TV’s Missing Faces

The Media Image Coalition of Minorities and Women commends Jon Krampner on his well-researched, comprehensive article on the lack of minority male anchors on prime-time newscasts (“Anchored Out of the Mainstream,” Dec. 15).

The MIC, formed under the auspices of the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, promotes balanced imagery and increased diversity on television and film. In March, the MIC wrote the news directors of KABC, KNBC and KCBS to urge the inclusion of an African-American anchor in their weekday lineups, as there are none , male or female, on these channels locally. We also expressed our concern about the inclusion of all groups represented by the MIC.

We received a conciliatory response from Bob Hyland, then KCBS general manager. No other station has responded, and the MIC is considering further action.

The MIC believes that television, and more particularly TV news, plays an essential role in shaping the perceptions people have about themselves and those who are different from them. By using news anchors who truly reflect the tremendous diversity that characterizes the Southern California scene today, local stations can provide positive images and role models for its audience.

SUMI HARU

ELAINE POUNDS

RICHARD JENNINGS

Co-Chairs, MIC

Los Angeles

Haru is Western national chair of the equal employment opportunity committee of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Pounds is executive director of the Los Angeles Black Media Coalition. Jennings is executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation/Los Angeles.