Networks get so-so marks for diversity

Three minority advocacy groups reported this week that the four major broadcast TV networks have made some strides in increasing ethnic diversity in front of and behind the camera, but still have fallen short in demonstrating an overall commitment to multiculturalism.

The National Latino Media Council, American Indians in Film and Television and the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition on Thursday released their sixth annual evaluations on the progress made by CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox in their pledge to boost minority representation. The networks made an agreement in 1999 with the organizations and the NAACP to increase diversity. That pledge followed a season in which none of those networks’ 26 new shows featured a minority lead.

The organizations, which in the past had issued one combined grade to each network under the umbrella of the Multi-Ethnic Coalition, issued individual reports. The NAACP is no longer involved with formal monitoring of diversity efforts on television, following last year’s departure of Kweisi Mfume as NAACP president.

Leaders of the Latino group said they were encouraged but not satisfied by the progress made by the networks in areas ranging from the hiring of cast members, writers and producers to the appointment of executives. They gave an overall grade of B to ABC and C-plus to the other three networks.

The Asian Pacific American group awarded a C-plus to ABC and Cs to Fox and NBC. CBS, which continues to be the only broadcast network without a minority in a leading or secondary leading role on its prime-time entertainment series, received the lowest overall grade, a C-minus.

American Indians in Film and Television did not issue an official grade, but added that they would give the four networks failing marks in terms of employment of American Indians.

Executives at the networks largely disputed the findings of the groups, insisting they had a commitment to diversity.