Thank you, Madam Chair.
It's an interesting amendment. I mean, we support it, but I do have an issue with “supporting the production and broadcasting”.
Obviously, legacy or traditional broadcasters over the years have not represented Black and racialized persons on television. We have seen social media and these creators now go through YouTube with their content online. They have podcasts. Their voices now are being heard where really the traditional broadcaster has dropped the ball. We heard that from OUTtv.
I'm a little concerned with this amendment. Are we going to put limits now on traditional broadcasters that they must show more Black and racialized programming? I think we have seen over the years that this is one area in this country where they have probably not been represented well enough. That's why they have gone to the YouTubes and TikToks of the world to get their messages out. I just bring this to the committee's attention because of “supporting the production and broadcasting”.
To the department officials, is there anything with traditional television networks that today we are supporting the production and broadcasts of this outside group that Mr. Julian brings to committee? Is there anything in the rules of the Broadcasting Act today that we may not know about that you can bring us up to date on with regard to this group that obviously is trying to get their message across in committee here?