Why are there simply no people of color among the mainstream media opinion shapers?

[Stinky The Clown]

I'm not talking about people doing guest shots on cable shout fests.

I'm talking about people in starring roles like that enjoyed by Tim Russert or George Stephanopoulos ....... or even Tucker Carlson?

[uppityperson]

1. rant. I really hate that phrase "people of color" since everyone is some color. end of rant.

To answer your OP, I don't watch tv except rarely so I don't have an opinion about it.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. No offense was meant

What is the all encompassing term that you suggest I use?

[JuniperLea]

5. Good question...

I hate the term "minority"... because by number or station in life, non-white people are neither.

[uppityperson]

6. No offense taken either, just a general gripe and I don't know.

I know what is meant by the term, how it is used, and why it needs to be used, but the whole thing rankles. I don't know of a better term, guess I really wish we didn't need to have such a thing. No offense meant, just a general gripe and a wish and apologies for ranting unclearly. Still don't watch tv though.

[Stinky The Clown]

8. I also wish there were no need for the term .......

.... or even a need for me to ask the essential question I'm asking in the OP.

But such is life ......

Thanks for being honest. :hi:

[valerief]

2. They're too ashamed to say anything nice about Condi, so they

avoid the venue altogether.

[orpupilofnature57]

11. They should take a sec and First listen to this man, then give him a show!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1143459123898053852

[rzemanfl]

4. Because the guy from CNN, I'll think of his name in a minute

starts with a "B" retired, just before all the shit hit the fan. Think he saw it coming?

On edit: Bernard Shaw.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. Bernard Shaw ...... but ......

.... that's not what I'm asking about, really ..... He was a newsman (and a damned good one), but not an opinion leader.

[rzemanfl]

9. Would you say that about Walter Cronkite? n/t

[Stinky The Clown]

13. Would I say what about Cronkite?

That he was a newsman? Yes

That he was damned good? Yes, plus.

That he was an opinion leader? Possibly. He was/is very, very much in a class of his own. There's arguably no (true) newsman who has come along since him who even plays in the same league as Cronkite.

[rzemanfl]

22. I agree, What I find odd is that when Bernard Shaw retired, he

made a point of saying he'd still be doing things for CNN. He announced his retirement before the 2000 election theft was a done deal (five days after the voting, such as it was) and left before 9/11. It has always seemed to me an odd time for him to retire and stay on the sidelines, despite the fact that I forget his name from time to time.

Remember what LBJ said about Cronkite, if that's not saying he was an opinion leader, I don't know what would.

[villager]

10. any other rhetorical questions you want to throw our way? ;-)

I know the question was sincerely asked, but to translate from the Latin (I think): "The question answers itself."

[Sapere aude]

12. Does Gwen Ifill qualify?

http://www.pbs.org/weta/washingtonweek/gwen/

[Stinky The Clown]

14. Actually, she probably does

But to be honest, she's not very well known.

[Cleita]

15. Because most people of color aren't bigoted, sexist, homophobic

and racist. They don't play ball well with the corporate team of bigoted, sexist, homophobic and racist executives of those mainstream media outlets.

[Grandrose]

24. Brilliant reply!

Thank you for such clarity. Look at those representing msm/cable and you have the answer.
You absolutely nailed it! :applause:

[Tejanocrat]

16. How about ...

[Stinky The Clown]

17. See my comment above, about Gwen Ifill

[illinoisprogressive]

18. I think the msm thinks they would not get ratings. How stupid.

I watch who I like not who is what color. Same with voting. I am white and am an avid Obama supporter.
I think the beltway bubble crowd are so out of touch. the American public don't care the color of a host but, if they are good. Like the afternoon anchor on CNN is popular and he is black. he actually would make a good host.

[MGKrebs]

19. Here's a few.

[pnwmom]

20. There was Ed Bradley on 60 minutes. I miss him.

[pnwmom]

21. I think Oprah qualifies as a "mainstream media opinion shaper," don't you?

No, she's not Walter Cronkite but she's way more influential than the names you mention.

[Honeycombe8]

23. Oprah, Ed Bradley, Gwen Ifill, Tom Joyner.

Clarence Page. Others on PBS. And our local news networks have over half of the people who are people of color.

It seems at least representative to me, if not more than representative.

I suppose what you really mean is...why doesn't an African American have a news political talk show of his own on one of the major cable stations during prime time.

My answer to that would be....give them someone with an education, experience in the field (both news and political background), and star power, as well as the gift of gab.....and he'll get a show in a flash.

It's a hard thing to do...carry a show like that. Few people, whatever their color or gender, can do it. Most white men can't do it. So I would say that if someone shows up and shows they have the right stuff, they'd be snapped up in a jiffy. Like Oprah was, even way back in the days when it was unheard of.

[w4rma]

25. Because there are relatively few people of color among the owners of mainstream media. (nt)