Machine printing colored newspaper, offset printing press, printing in progress. Generative AI

Ethnic and Community Media Matters

Equitable Advertising for All Communities

Our Purpose

We were formed to advocate for the creation of the Governor’s Office of Ethnic and Community Media, the same model as the New York City Mayor’s Office of Ethnic and Community Media, to address and remedy the inequitable advertising and disenfranchisement of our communities.

New York State agencies are not equitably advertising with Ethnic and Community Media as reported in the explosive report by CUNY’s Center for Community Media.

Senate bill number 8132 sponsored by Senator Kevin Parker and Assembly bill number 9380 sponsored by Assemblyman Al Taylor will ensure all communities have access to important services, programs, and initiatives of state agencies across New York State.

About Us

The “NY Coalition of Ethnic and Community Media” is a dynamic and diverse network of news outlets. Our coalition comprises members of various ethnicities, languages, and religious backgrounds. We are united in our commitment to providing voice and visibility to the diverse tapestry of communities that comprise our state.

Our primary aim is to deliver essential and relevant information to diverse groups. Our unique position within these communities allows us to cater to their specific needs and concerns, offering news and insights that resonate more deeply with their experiences

What Sets Us Apart

Diverse Representation

We pride ourselves on our inclusive representation of various cultures, languages, and religions. Our members are not just reporters; they are part of the communities they serve, ensuring authentic and culturally sensitive reporting.

Local Focus, Global Perspective

While we focus on community-specific news, we also provide a global perspective on local issues, connecting the local narrative to broader global trends.

Multilingual Content

Understanding the importance of language in conveying news effectively, we offer content in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility for non-English speakers.

Community Engagement

We actively engage with the communities we serve, not only as a news source but as an active participant in community events and discussions.

New York State Inequitable Advertising

New York State, where over 47% of the population is non-white, is home to more than 700 community-based media outlets. These vital outlets serve as crucial information sources for the state’s diverse communities, providing essential news that resonates with their unique experiences and perspectives.

City-Level Initiatives

Recognizing the importance of these media outlets, the New York City Mayor’s Office has established “The Mayor’s Office of Ethnic and Community Media (MOECM).” This initiative aims to enhance city services and programs by partnering with a wide range of media outlets and community-based organizations (CBOs)/Nonprofits, thereby serving the diverse population across the five boroughs.

State-Level Disparity

Despite these efforts at the city level, a significant disparity exists at the state level. Currently, no similar office is dedicated to promoting Ethnic and Community Media. This gap in representation and support is concerning, as highlighted by the Center for Community Media (CCM).
CCM report reveals a troubling lack of transparency in state agency advertising practices, leading to the community media sector and its audiences being consistently overlooked.

Here are some of our key findings from the CUNY Center for Community Media Report:

NYS agencies spent over $905 million on state-contracted advertising agencies from FY 2012 to 2022.

CCM analyzed $216 million spent on 90 advertising campaigns by six New York State agencies.

Community media only received 2.6% ($5.6 million) of the $216 million spent on media buys.

Of the $216 million, traditional media received the most dollars at $133 million or 61.5% of the total.

In media placements we analyzed, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance spent 0% of the $3.9 million budget directly on community media outlets.

The Office of Children & Family Services spent only 0.8% ($17K) of $2.2 million on community media outlets, based on media placements we analyzed.

State agencies’ combined spending on media placements in social media, tech and ad-serving/targeting companies amounted to $42.4 million, or 20% of the total ad dollars – almost eight times the amount that community media received.

The Department of Labor spent 29% ($144K) on community media outlets, based on the $497K in media placements we analyzed. Of the six agencies who gave us records, the DOL spent by far the most on community media.