The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has lashed out at CNN for its new primetime lineup because it does not feature any African-American hosts or anchors.
CNN announced a new schedule Wednesday featuring shows starring Anderson Cooper, Erin Burnett and Piers Morgan, among others. The civil rights group contends that the “glaring omission” of African-Americans in the cable network’s lineup reinforces “the broader trend reflected in the overall lack of people of color as prime time news anchors.”
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NAACP Hollywood Bureau Executive Director Vic Bullock is setting up meetings with the presidents of news divisions to address the issue.
Citing ABC’s Robin Roberts, Roland Martin and MSNBC’s Tamron Hall as examples of potential candidates for primetime shows, Bullock said, “With all of the respected, major talent that is available, we find it perplexing that these talented journalists are not elevated to prime time and we intend to raise that concern in our meetings.”
The NAACP said it recognizes and appreciates Al Sharpton‘s guest hosting stints on MSNBC and weekend anchors like TJ Holmes, Don Lemon, Russ Mitchell and Lester Holt on CNN, CBS and NBC but nevertheless encourages “all networks to acknowledge the talent that exists and to increase the diversity among their prime time anchors and hosts.”
There are no African American hosts or anchors on any national news show, cable or broadcast network, from the hours of 5pm to 11pm, according to the NAACP.
