In the annual Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) women and minorities survey, Robert Papper and Michael Gerhard concluded that the number of women and minorities working in television newsrooms are at a record high.

Minorities now hold 21 percent of all jobs in television news. Women make up 40 percent of the television news workforce.

"The real growth for both groups is in leadership positions," Papper said. "We have a record number of minority and women news directors."

The percentage of minority TV news directors is 14 percent, eclipsing the old record of 10 percent two years ago. Last year, 8 percent of television news directors were minorities. Minorities also hold 10 percent of general manager jobs in television.

Women make up 24 percent of television news directors in the country, up 4 percent from last year. They hold 14 percent of general manager jobs in television.

In radio, minorities hold 10 percent of all news jobs, down from 11 percent in 1999. Their numbers in radio news leadership fell from 8 percent to 6 percent this year. Minorities hold only 5 percent of general manager jobs in radio.

Women hold 35 percent of all jobs in radio news, up from 29 percent last year. They hold 13 percent of general manager jobs. The percentage of women news directors held steady at 20 percent.

Papper said the RTNDA was celebrating the progress without becoming complacent.

"They know it's in the best interest of the industry to support efforts to increase diversity at every level," he said. "They are looking for ways to increase diversity each year."

Papper and Gerhard, professors in the Department of Telecommunications at Ball State, annually research television and radio news issues, including salary levels and staff diversity.

By Lori Rader, Communications Manager