FCC Commissioner Ties Media Ownership To Racial Justice Debate

Story by Inside Radio

FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks is tying media ownership diversity to the national conversation around race relations. The Democrat said the Federal Communications Commission needs to adopt policies that would promote diversity in media ownership. “Similarly, diverse ownership within the media landscape allows us to promote and take control of our own stories,” Starks said in a statement this week. He also called attention to the fact that many minority communities don’t have access to high-speed internet services, and if they do, it’s not affordable. “We know there are wider political, economic and social implications at stake in both of these issue areas,” he added.

Starks’ comments came following the police killing of George Floyd, 46, in Minneapolis on May 25. The incident, which has since led to criminal charges against all four officers, has sparked days of protesting and looting in cities nationwide.

“As not only a Commissioner of the FCC, but a black father of two young children who deeply cares about my country and my community, I know that our policymakers must do more to include Black people and other communities of color and create a better world for future generation,” said Starks. “These challenging times are an opportunity to create real change in our country. To do that, now is the time not to just acknowledge the existing inequities in this country, but to eradicate them as we build the future all of our children deserve.”

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