Let’s not forget about communities of color in the AT&T/Time Warner debates

[Commentary] Insights from the subfield of media sociology highlight the intersecting dynamics (and institutions) which perpetuate racial inequalities within the media landscape. These inequalities stem from issues regarding ownership and the power relations embedded within the ability to control both media access and content. Overlaps between the economic and political realms also shape our media environment.

Just recently, the Justice Department filed suit against AT&T for collusion in blocking a competing cable channel. Part and parcel of the “protecting consumers” debate are issues surrounding racially underrepresented communities and inclusion in BOTH the media and technology industries. Learning from the Comcast/NBC Universal merger in 2011, advocacy groups and federal authorities should not rely on Memorandum of Understandings to advance inclusion goals. Such “gentlemen’s agreements” are largely voluntary and establish false promises for communities of color. As a diverse nation struggling with ongoing racial injustices, leaving underrepresented communities out of media merger debates is a disservice not only to those communities, but to us all.

[Jason A. Smith is a PhD candidate in the Public Sociology program at George Mason University.]