It affects opportunities for African Americans for jobs, for housing, and for other activities the majority takes for granted (van Dijik 1998). .
Modern racism has three characteristics. First, there is a general animosity toward the minority or "out-group." News that over represents African Americans in the reporting of crime and poverty develops and supports this animosity by equating African Americans with society's problems. Lack of respect for and fear of African Americans is the result. Secondly, any political move toward improvement in the minority status is resisted. It is implied that affirmative action is now unnecessary, and, in fact, that advantage is consistently shown now to the African Americans over the white people. In actuality, whites still have the higher position in society and the power that comes with being in the dominant group. There are no more scholarships designated for African American college students than there are for white students. The white worker is still preferred over the black in most situations. Television news also exaggerates the extent to which black politicians favor special interests by assuming that their agenda is for African Americans only. When an African American speaks, he represents the entire race, not just himself (Holtzman 2000). Thirdly, racial discrimination is presented as a thing of the past (Campbell 1995). The white majority accepts racial stereotypes as common knowledge and common sense. Television news perpetuates these stereotypes by ignoring the positive aspects of African American life while playing up instances of crime and poverty.
New Racism in News Media Practices.
In 1968, in response to racial unrest in the United States, the Kermer Commission examined news media practices and called for more and better coverage of the African American community. The commission recommended an increase of the number of African Americans in all levels of the ranks in news organizations.