Black groups, people must invest in Black-owned media
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Black-owned media is currently more scarce than it was a century ago, despite a rich history of independent Black press.
- ❖The decline of Black media creates a dangerous vacuum, allowing targeted misinformation and disinformation campaigns to mislead the Black community.
- ❖True journalism involves on-the-ground reporting, which is costly and distinct from casual social media commentary.
- ❖Financial support from Black individuals, entertainers, athletes, and even major Black organizations for independent Black media is critically low.
- ❖The Black community's collective spending power (estimated at $1.5-$2.1 trillion) is comparable to major national economies but is not being effectively directed to support its own institutions.
- ❖Without direct financial contributions, Black media outlets cannot hire reporters, cover events, or sustain operations, leaving the community uninformed and vulnerable.
Insights
1Scarcity of Black Media and Information Danger
Despite a historical legacy of thousands of Black newspapers and magazines, Black media today is more scarce than it was 100 years ago. This scarcity creates a dangerous information vacuum, making the Black community highly susceptible to massive amounts of misinformation and disinformation, often specifically targeted to suppress votes or mislead.
Roland Martin states, 'black media today is more scarce more scarce today than it was 100 years ago.' Guest Ava adds that 'this was not accidental, right? This was very very targeted over a significant period of time where our media institutions were specifically targeted for elimination.'
2The Cost of Real Journalism vs. Online Chatter
Professional, on-the-ground journalism, which involves reporting from locations like state capitals or protest sites, requires substantial financial resources for travel, equipment, salaries, and legal fees. This contrasts sharply with casual online commentary, which often relies on the work of actual journalists without contributing to its sustainability.
Roland Martin differentiates, 'It's a lot different when you're actually at the Texas state capital going through the hallways talking to state legislators... That's a stark difference.' He details costs: 'videographer, gas, food, per diem, salary, insurance, legal fees.'
3Lack of Financial Support from Black Stakeholders
Despite widespread verbal support and calls for Black media, actual financial contributions from Black individuals, entertainers, athletes, and even major Black organizations are negligible. Roland Martin's show, with over 36,000 donors in seven years, received support from only four entertainers/athletes and a handful of organizations, with many providing 'not a dollar.'
Martin reveals, 'out of all of the entertainers and the athletes and the big time black people on Wall Street... Four [have given] in seven years.' He lists specific organizational donations, noting many gave 'not a dollar.' He quotes a politician's perspective: 'I appreciate that but I can't pay for yard signs with your prayers.'
4Untapped Collective Economic Power
The Black community's collective spending power is estimated at $1.5 trillion currently, projected to reach $2.1 trillion by 2026. This economic power is equivalent to the GDP of major countries, yet it is not being mobilized to support critical Black institutions like independent media, leaving them vulnerable.
Martin asks, 'what's the number, Michael? Is it 1.5 trillion... Our spending power?' He then shows a graphic stating, 'if the spending power of black people is 1.5 trillion... we are tied with Turkey as the 16th largest economy in the world.' He later cites a 2026 projection of $2.1 trillion.
Lessons
- Directly financially support Black-owned media outlets and independent Black journalists by subscribing, donating, or contributing to their platforms.
- Prioritize supporting Black media over mainstream outlets, recognizing that Black-owned platforms provide context and coverage essential to the Black community.
- Educate others within the Black community about the critical need for financial investment in Black media to counter misinformation and ensure accurate reporting.
- Demand accountability from Black celebrities, athletes, and organizations to financially support Black media, rather than just offering verbal encouragement.
Quotes
"black media today is more scarce more scarce today than it was 100 years ago."
"If we don't have our own trusted institutions that can tell our stories in a way that is ethical, in a way that is truthful, in a way that can be trusted, then that leaves the door wide open for all of these other people to enter the fray and mislead our people with lies and with other sorts of disinformation."
"I appreciate that but I can't pay for yard signs with your prayers."
"Black media, black businesses, black educators, H.B.CU, CUS, nonprofits, the entire black ecosystem cannot survive with the vicious attacks that we are seeing from Donald Trump, MAGA, the Supreme Court if black people are unwilling to support one another."
"The issue is not the resources that we earn. The issue is how we spend."
Q&A
Recent Questions
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