The veteran broadcaster warns that without direct community support, independent Black media will not survive
*Roland Martin delivered a pointed warning to his audience, urging the Black community to put money behind the independent media outlets that tell their stories.
“Y'all got to support Independent Black-Owned Media,†Martin said in a video filmed in Hartford, Connecticut, where his team was preparing to head to Montgomery, Alabama to broadcast the All Gold Lead to the South rally. “We are not going to have Black-Owned Media reporting our news if we don't support it. I'm telling y'all right now, it ain't going to happen.â€
His message came against a backdrop of troubling news across the industry. Black Enterprise, a 56-year-old publication, cut ties with all 15 of its freelance contributors, The Chicago Crusader reports. The move leaves only editors to maintain the digital publication. Martin also highlighted Blavity's recent layoffs across several of its media properties.
“The CEO, Condé Nast, told his people that they should operate as if they're going to get zero traffic on social media,†Martin said.
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Media analysts cite several factors driving these changes. Advertisers spend less on traditional media, readers increasingly consume news online, and publishers continue to trim expenses. Those challenges have proven especially difficult for Black-focused media outlets.
Martin is a veteran broadcaster and founder of Roland Martin Unfiltered on the Black Star Network. He has built his network on a donor-supported model rather than subscriptions, and he is asking supporters to contribute an average of $50 a year. “That pays for my show and six other shows,†he said, making the case that a modest individual commitment adds up to something much larger collectively.
The stakes, in his view, could not be higher. Without a financial foundation rooted in community support, Black-owned outlets cannot compete, cannot staff up, and ultimately cannot survive.
“We got to be able to support Black-Owned Media,†Martin said. “Otherwise, we're not going to have Black-Owned Media.â€
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