Few Differences Among African Americans Study Finds
"A majority of blacks say they regularly listen to black news or talk shows on the radio (62%) and a similar percentage say they regularly read Ebony, Essence, Black Enterprise or Jet (60%)," according to a new nationwide Pew Research Center survey on race.
"Black newspapers and black-oriented websites and blogs are far less commonly read within the black community; only about three-in-ten blacks say they regularly read a black newspaper (28%) or read black websites and blogs (30%)."
Richard Prince of Journal-isms reports that the media findings come in the same report that found that "a year after Barack Obama’s election, blacks’ assessments about the state of black progress in America have improved more dramatically than at any time in the last quarter century. The poll finds an upbeat set of black views on a wide range of matters, including race relations, local community satisfaction and expectations for future black progress.
In another finding, Obama's racial identity was viewed differently, based on the race of the respondent. "A majority of whites (53%) say Obama is mixed race; a similar majority of blacks (55%) say he is black. Most Hispanic respondents (61%) say Obama is mixed race."
On black-media consumption, the study said that patterns among African Americans show few demographic differences.
"Black women are more likely than black men to regularly read black magazines such as Ebony, Essence, Black Enterprise or Jet (65% of women, 54% of men).
And, not surprisingly, the relatively young (ages 18-29) are the most likely to frequently read black-oriented websites and blogs (48% do so, compared with only 28% of 30-49 year olds and 22% of older African Americans).
Black-oriented blog sites like Bossip, Media Takeout and YBF (recently, CEO Natasha Eubanks was on the cover of Black Enterprise) are also more frequently read by those with at least some college education than those who have not attended college (36% vs. 26%).Virtually no differences in media consumption are seen across income groups among blacks.
"Although there is little difference in views of most of the major problems facing black families today between those who get news from black media sources and those who do not, the lack of decently-paid jobs is viewed as a big problem by a greater proportion of those who regularly read or listen to black media."