Measuring the Economics Driving Investments and Access for Diversity Act of 2020

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5567, the MEDIA Diversity Act, introduced by my friend from Missouri, Representative Long.

This legislation represents another step forward to uplift minority voices and promote media diversity. I understand how important it is to serve communities with local programming that accurately reflects a community's population.

I have also seen the media industry make great strides to promote diversity and create new content to appeal to communities that they serve. Many programs and initiatives have been established to promote opportunities for women, minorities, veterans, and other socially disadvantaged individuals to participate in the media marketplace.

Of course, the media industry is only one small part of the vast communications marketplace that also includes mobile wireless providers, online video distributors, fixed broadband providers, and so on.

There are also new entrants in the tech industry who are providing additional opportunities for minorities, women, veterans, and underrepresented groups that make their voices heard. There is still work to do to make sure these voices and underserved communities are represented in traditional media and all other areas of the large communications marketplace, and this legislation will help.

I am glad to support this piece of bipartisan legislation that will allow the FCC to evaluate the market barriers socially disadvantaged individuals face in the communications marketplace.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation to make sure all voices are heard, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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