A new report published by Media Matters for America (MMFA) found broadcast and cable TV news spent only 54 minutes covering anti-trans violence in 2020, despite it being the deadliest year on record for trans and gender diverse Americans. According to the study, cable networks covered the topic for 41 minutes, while broadcast networks covered it for only 13 minutes. More than half of the coverage was aired in June, which was LGBTQ+ Pride month.
44 known trans people were killed in the US last year, the majority of which were black trans women, however only 9 of the 23 segments which covered anti-trans violence directly named victims. MMFA criticised popular cable networks CNN and Fox News for covering the topic for only five minutes, despite the fact “these networks produce thousands of hours of news coverage per year.” Fox News also aired a segment where host Tucker Carlson claimed anti-trans violence is “factually untrue”, sparking backlash among LGBTQ+ viewers.
The report concluded that the current coverage of anti-trans violence is insufficient, adding: “It is vital for broadcast and cable networks to inform their viewers with accurate coverage about the all-time high rates of anti-trans violence, or else they will cede the narrative around trans issues to right-wing media’s bigotry and misinformation.” Associate director of the transgender justice initiative at the Human Rights Campaign, Lindsey Clark, said the US has to pay greater attention to the vulnerable trans community than it did in 2020 to prevent further violence: “Last year was the deadliest year for fatal violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people that we have ever tracked. This is unacceptable. We must all come together and work to bring this violence to an end.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.