Minority Broadcasters Seek Federal Aid

according to the article on Wall Street Journal.

"WASHINGTON --A group of minority broadcasters asked Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner Monday for financial assistance akin to the aid that has been extended to the financial and auto industries.

"Minority-owned broadcasters are close to becoming an extinct species," the letter said. "Even in better economic times, minority broadcasters have historically had difficulties accessing the capital markets.

"The broadcasters told Mr. Geithner they can bounce back if they are given some temporary assistance while the credit markets are slow.

"Research from the Internet advocacy group Free Press says minorities own just 7.7% of full power commercial radio stations and 3.2% of full power commercial TV stations.

"Companies and groups that signed on to the Geithner letter included the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters, the Inner City Broadcasting Coalition, the Spanish Broadcasting System, Taxi Productions Inc., and Carter Broadcast Group, Inc."

According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), "minority" means Blacks, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans.

In this day and age, that definition seems narrow to me. What about women? What about Gay/lesbian/transgender? Where will it stop making sense?

I have this feeling that they will get the federal money. "Minority" rules, in case you haven't noticed.

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