The representation of African Americans in media has historically been a significant concern, often propagating controversial stereotypes and misconstrued images that contribute to systemic media bias. While research from 1955-1986 showed severe underrepresentation, with only 6% of prime-time TV characters being Black, a 2018 UCLA report indicated a shift, showing African Americans in 17% of scripted broadcast roles during the 2015-16 season, despite being less than 13% of the U.S. population.
Local news media plays a critical role in shaping public understanding, with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights emphasizing its impact on perceptions of minority communities. Crucially, fostering Black-owned media is vital to ensuring diverse perspectives and accurate representation, countering the silencing of marginalized communities. Damaging historical stereotypes include the "Little Black Sambo" and "coon" caricatures, the "Uncle Tom" stereotype, and shows like "Amos 'n' Andy," alongside performances such as Al Jolson's blackface in the early 20th century.