Jackson Calls TV Racist, Urges Action : Media: The activist says the networks need to hire more minorities and retool programming. He threatens a boycott if changes are not made.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson on Monday accused television networks of “institutional racism,” and vowed to encourage viewers to boycott networks that refuse to schedule programs with positive ethnic images or do not place minorities in key decision-making positions.

At a news conference in South-Central Los Angeles, Jackson said the newly formed Rainbow Coalition Commission on Fairness in the Media has become increasingly concerned over what he called the significant lack of representation of African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans and women among network news anchors, prime-time entertainment writing staffs and in prominent roles that do not involve criminal activity.

“We have written the networks letters, and the response, by and large, has been defensive as they attempt to justify what is unjustifiable,” Jackson said. “While we’re willing to talk, we’re also willing to walk. It’s now time for aggressive direct action.”

Jackson said he was particularly disturbed by the cancellation of several black-oriented shows on Fox, including “South Central,” “Roc,” “In Living Color” and “The Sinbad Show,” adding that there did not seem to be much change in the upcoming fall season.

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“We know that significant shows were cut off from Fox this season, and that is of great concern to us,” Jackson said. “We look at the data we have on NBC. It is substantial. It is ugly. We look at the projected format for CBS this fall. In the real sense, all of them are recycling racist practices. It is called institutional racism. It is manifest not only in their hiring, but in their priorities.”

Officials for Fox, NBC, CBS and ABC could not be reached for comment.

During the news conference and in a separate interview with The Times, Jackson compared his campaign to the historic march in Selma, Ala., and other civil rights demonstrations.

He decried the lack of coverage of minorities during the recent D-day celebrations. Blacks are woefully absent during Sunday public affairs shows, he added. “Those all-white hosts determine their guests and set the political agenda for public policy for Monday morning. That’s not America.”

Jackson said the commission is researching network hiring practices and the portrayal of minorities, and would present those findings during a workshop in September. At that time, offending networks will be targeted for action, he said.

“They think they have the right to not include us in recruitment, hiring, promotion, projection, decision making,” Jackson said. “But we have consumer power, we have viewer power, we have the power to change dials. We will do just that until there is a change.

“The boycotts would start in September,” he said. “The networks have time now to get their house in order. They can begin to change now.”

Also at the news conference at the African American Community Unity Center were Brotherhood Crusade founder Danny Bakewell and comedian Sinbad.

Bakewell said he has also given a mandate to local TV stations to hire more minorities. He complained that there was not one black anchor of a local weeknight newscast.

“These things must change, and we are going to bring that about, and we are serious that we will see that action as we progress this fall,” Bakewell said.