AAI Written Statement: to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
AAI supports the diversification of media ownership

Chicago, September 20, 2007 – The Asian American Institute, along with the many voices of the Asian American Chicago community, publicly supports the diversification of media ownership in the communications industry. We understand that the lack of diversity in media decreases the fair and accurate representation of Asian American and related issues of concern.

Situation like the Mike North affair can erupt in the Chicago community. Media personalities trivialize and loosely toss around derogatory terms like “Chinaman.” (North was referring to a Chicago Cubs pitcher of Korean descent.)

Most recently, with the killing of Vietnamese American fisherman, Du Doan, CBS2 referred to Doan using the term “oriental,” an unacceptable and derogatory term, like “colored” or “negro” or other racial epithets.

AAI refutes that there is diversity of media coverage and employment in the industry simply because media companies can list organizations like AAI as resources in job recruitment. This is neither fair nor accurate representation of Asian Americans and the concerns that are real in our communities. This is tokenism.

For further information, please contact:
April Lewton
Community Organizer
Asian American Institute
(773) 271 – 0899

The Asian American Institute (www.aaichicago.org) is the region's pan-Asiannonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the Asian Pacific American communitythrough advocacy, by utilizing research, education, and coalition-building.