February 23rd, 2009 
joel Our last poll asked about the relevance of phone book advertising in this era of instant online information. As I suspected, over 40% of respondents said that they never look at the phone book, while another 28% said that phone book advertising makes no impact on their buying decisions. Almost a third of those who answered the poll said that they found the telephone directory useful at least half the time when shopping for products or services.
I don’t want to start a controversy or “pick a scab,” but I don’t want to be, in the words of the new Attorney General, “a coward.” I must say that I’m concerned about the lack of growth of African-American, Hispanic, or other minority participation in Erie media. In this era of great diversity of media outlets, I’m not seeing a growth in diversity of participants. Should the proverbial “we” do something about it?
Should current participants in Erie broadcast, print, and new media do more to encourage minority participation in media?
- No: there are plenty of opportunities for members of Erie’s minority community to be involved in Erie media if they so choose (66%, 23 Votes)
- Yes: minorities are significantly underrepresented in local Erie media (34%, 12 Votes)
Total Voters: 35
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This “POLL” comes at a good time. MIllcreek is talking about having a “Commitee of Sorts” see what is necessary to encourge minorities to apply for law enforcement positions. Erie City had a Deputy Chief in charge of the same type of program,with poor results.
I feel that minorities have the same opportunity to apply for positions as the “proverbial we” do.
If they do not apply what are we(the proverbial we) to do?
Offer them enticements? I don’t think so.
That’s like the companies that pay workers for good attendance,or schools that reward for good performance.
Paying people to do what they should be doing to begin with.
So when all is said and done, no minorities apply so no minorities get hired so then the minorities cry foul and say “why aren’t we represented in proportion to the “proverbial we?”
Joel, I have to agree with Jimbo here. If there were more minorities applying for positions, and qualifying, but still not being hired, then perhaps that would be solid evidence of discrimination.
As it stands, I believe the ball is in their court. They want to be treated as equals, and rightly so, but don’t want to do their part, and would rather place the race card.
When I was in media about 20 years ago, we always did the due diligence of EEOC related outreach to the minority community organizations when hiring a new employee. Rarely, if ever, were these efforts successful in gaining applicants from the minority community.
I do not recall any prejudicial attitudes in the hiring process, just a lack of applicants for consideration. I have to throw my hat in with Jimbo, when he asks “If they don’t apply, what are we to do?” On our end, we have to be sure the playing field is level. But when that is done, we ought to expect that the players will show up to play. If they don’t apply for the position, whose fault is that?
Uh, correct me if I’m wrong, but all media seem to be CUTTING employees rather than adding more. Isn’t this poll/discussion moot?
Max, you are correct. This is moot as far as the media goes, but the situation is still there in other fields of endeavor, and it is not going to go away soon.
There will be a time when the media and other employers will be hiring and unless the minorities start applying for positions, the outcome will be the same.
This downturn will not last forever(although it feels that way.)
The company I work for has excellent demographic data for NW PA. The area is just over 96% white. So if a TV station has 20 reporters less than 1 will be a minority if you go by a strict % representation.
How about less ” color of their skin” and more “content of their character” like MLK wanted?
Joel, since this was your poll and you added:”I must say that I’m concerned about the lack of growth of African-American, Hispanic, or other minority participation in Erie media. In this era of great diversity of media outlets, I’m not seeing a growth in diversity of participants. Should the proverbial “we” do something about it?” I ask,now that you have seen some of the results, and comments, do you still feel “we” must do something to rectify this situation?
20 years ago, there was a larger pool of diversity in news reporters and anchors than today.
-Mishka Marshall WICU
-Harry Hairston- now WCAU Philly
-John Thompson (now a top photog in Houston)
-Taz Boga (WSEE) now a top reporter in Ottawa
-Lani Lei (WSEE) now out of the business and living in San Francisco
Sometimes the problem for Erie is keeping talented diverse broadcasters in town. As mentioned from the list above, many go onto bigger more prominent markets.
But even today, there is no representation asside from the chief meterologist on WICU…very sad state of affairs.
To use to do TV news. Can you spot anything different as far as attracting minorities then as to now?
Jimbo:
two things come to mind. first, local owners personally knew Erie minority leaders and made an effort to create some on-air diversity.
but today, talented minority broadcasters are starting in much larger markets and moving into top-25 cities much quicker than before. I think Erie TV stations should strive to create diversity among African American, Latino and Asian American news talent.
You may recall Susan Leftwich on WSEE back in the ’80′s. She started as a co-anchor to the PM Magazine program that the station ran in prime access. After the syndication and local production costs for the show outstripped the ad revenue being generated, the show was dropped and Susan moved over to the news department. I have no idea where she may be these days.
I believe Susan last was at the Erie Times News.