The landscape of mass media and journalism has always been volatile, and recent developments highlight a troubling trend: the erasure of Black media and Black culture. This phenomenon has deep roots in historical upheavals that have consistently marginalized Black-centric and Black-owned media outlets, intellectual property, and cultural artifacts. Recent events underscore how these patterns persist, affecting the preservation and visibility of Black cultural contributions.
On June 24, Paramount Global made headlines by shutting down MTVNews.com as part of its cost-cutting measures. Just days later, Deadline reported that Paramount Global had deleted the video archives of Comedy Central, further diminishing access to influential content. This is part of a broader trend where Black media and intellectual properties are sacrificed in the name of corporate efficiency.
Vice Media, once a powerhouse in cultural journalism, is a poignant example of this trend. Valued at $5.7 billion at its peak, Vice was sold for a fraction of that amount—$350 million—to three investment firms last year. The decline was attributed to the company’s inability to compete with digital giants like Facebook and Google for advertising revenue, showcasing the challenges faced by media companies in adapting to rapidly shifting economic realities.
Since the early 2000s, media companies have struggled to adjust their business models in the face of fluctuating revenue and manipulative algorithms. This instability has disproportionately impacted Black media outlets and cultural content, which are often among the first to be cut or erased during financial retrenchments.
A recent New York Times article highlighted a stark trend: the closure of American newspapers is occurring at an alarming rate, with two newspapers shutting down each week before the pandemic. The report projects that a third of the country’s newspapers could vanish by 2025. This trend reflects a broader pattern of media consolidation and cost-cutting that has also affected Black-centric media outlets.
The erasure of Black media is particularly concerning because it diminishes the representation and preservation of Black culture. The recent deletion of Hip-Hop archives from MTVNews.com and Black comedic videos featuring talents like Dave Chappelle and Key & Peele exemplifies a broader pattern of erasing significant cultural contributions. This trend echoes the decline of urban media mainstays like Okayplayer, which once served as a crucial platform for Black voices and perspectives.
The scarcity of Black-owned media outlets exacerbates the impact of these closures. With so few Black-controlled media platforms, each cut represents a deeper wound in the representation and control of Black intellectual property. This lack of control leaves Black culture vulnerable to erasure, as it lacks the mechanisms to safeguard its own legacy.
Compounding this issue is the rising trend of book banning and history editing, notably championed by conservative factions in states like Florida. This broader cultural and educational censorship threatens to erase or undermine Black intellectual properties and cultural artifacts, further imperiling their preservation.
The ephemeral nature of Black-centric popular culture also contributes to its vulnerability. Black culture, often revolutionary and challenging mainstream values, is susceptible to rapid shifts in public and corporate attitudes. This dynamic makes it easier for significant cultural contributions to be overlooked or forgotten, as seen with the controversial banning of works like Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye and Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man.
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In a recent development, Paramount’s handling of BET Media Group exemplifies the ongoing struggle over Black media ownership. Initially announced for sale, the network attracted interest from filmmaker Tyler Perry and media mogul Byron Allen. However, despite Allen’s $3.5 billion offer, Paramount rejected it. The network is now back on the market, with investors like BET CEO Scott Mills and Chinh Chu of CC Capital engaged in talks to acquire the brand.
The fate of BET Media Group underscores the precarious position of Black-owned media in today’s economic climate. As the media industry continues to consolidate and evolve, the preservation of Black culture and media becomes increasingly precarious. The trend of erasing Black media and cultural contributions reflects a broader issue of inequitable representation and access, highlighting the need for concerted efforts to safeguard and celebrate Black intellectual property.
In conclusion, the erasure of Black media and culture is a deeply troubling trend that undermines the rich tapestry of Black contributions to American society. The recent closures and deletions of significant media content reflect a broader pattern of marginalization and financial instability that disproportionately affects Black voices and perspectives. As the media landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial to address these challenges and work towards preserving and celebrating the invaluable contributions of Black culture and intellectual property.
