Latin migrant practice connected tv continues connected a downward spiral, a caller study revealed.
Define America, successful business pinch nan University of Southern California’s Norman Lear Center, conscionable posted its 4th broad study search migrant practice connected TV, and nan results are not positive.
Despite immigrants from Latin America making up 45% of nan existent U.S. migrant population, their practice connected surface has plummeted from 50% of migrant characters successful 2020 to conscionable 23% today.
The stereotypes of casting Latinos arsenic criminals connected surface persisted, pinch 1 successful 4 migrant characters formed successful roles involving supplier dealing, smuggling, and quality trafficking.
Streaming platforms relationship for 57% of each migrant characters, acold outpacing broadcast (38%) and cablegram (6%).
Define America’s 2020 investigation analyzed 201 characters — comprising 172 immigrants and 29 children of immigrants — spanning 80 episodes crossed 62 scripted bid that aired from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025.
For nan first time, nan investigation expands its scope to see nan U.S.-born children of immigrants, providing a much broad look astatine really these families are portrayed connected surface and reflecting nan knowing that migration issues often effect full families.
Define American has consulted connected complete 160 movie and tv projects crossed 30 networks, studios, and streaming platforms, starring nan measurement successful shaping really nan manufacture tells nuanced, authentic migrant stories. The findings successful this study reenforce nan organization’s longstanding position: that meticulous storytelling is simply a captious instrumentality for bridging nan spread betwixt fabrication and reality.
“No unit successful civilization shapes really we spot each different rather for illustration Hollywood, which is precisely why practice must beryllium a priority,” Jose Antonio Vargas, Founder of Define American, said successful a statement. “Our investigation is clear: nan stories we spot connected surface person nan powerfulness to alteration really we position group successful existent life. It’s clip nan manufacture moves beyond gathering a quota and embraces its work to accurately bespeak nan complexity of nan American people. When Hollywood tells these stories, we will beryllium capable to build a much welcoming America for all.”
While writers depicted characters of complete 49 nationalities and who said 20 different languages, astir of these characters appeared successful only a azygous episode.
Black migrant practice held dependable astatine 17%, heavy anchored by nan CBS bid Bob Hearts Abishola. With nan show concluding successful 2024, Black migrant practice could fall.