Joint Center Plans to Establish a Media and Technology Institute

EVERETT SAYS JOINT CENTER WILL BECOME A CLEARINGHOUSE FOR INFORMATION ON THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN THE LIVES OF AFRICAN AMERICANS

Ralph B. Everett, President and CEO of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, says the Washington-based think tank intends to take the lead in providing data and information and in conducting research on the role that media plays in the lives of African Americans and other people of color.

Speaking on Monday at the Minority Media & Telecommunications Policy Conference in Washington, DC, Everett described the Joint Center’s plans to establish a Media and Technology Institute that will:

• Provide seminal research on support policy interventions on issues like minority participation in the media and the portrayal and coverage of minorities. It also will work to insure equality of access to new media technologies and platforms.
• Promote a better understanding of how media affects the lives of African Americans and other people of color and what policies can make a difference.
• Encourage the rise of a new digital class in communities of color by facilitating an exchange of ideas and good practices, especially among elected officials.

“The accelerating pace of change in the modern media industry means that people of color cannot afford to stand still for one moment lest our communities be left behind,” he said.

Read Everett’s speech.