Today, GLAAD released a first-ever “Network Responsibility Index” which grades the major TV networks on “the quantity, quality and diversity of images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people” in their programming, says the media watchdog. GLAAD examined 4,693 hours of prime time programming from June 1, 2006 to May 31, 2007.
According to GLAAD, “Each hour was reviewed for any on-screen major or minor LGBT representations. Based on the overall quantity, quality and diversity of these representations, a grade was assigned to each network: Excellent, Good, Fair, or Failing.”
Said Media Director Damon Romine, who edited the report: “We know that seeing multi-dimensional, diverse people represented on television changes public perception. Millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans fight every day for equality and for the right to live their lives without fear of discrimination and violence. True equality will be in our grasp when network television presents our stories in a fair, accurate and inclusive way.”
No network received an “excellent” rating. Here's how they stacked up:
ABC – 171 LGBT inclusive hours out of 1,147 total hours (15% of programming). RANK = Good
The CW – 56 LGBT inclusive hours out of 472 total hours (12% of programming). RANK = Fair
CBS – 100.5 LGBT inclusive hours out of 1,147 total hours (9% of programming). RANK = Fair
NBC – 83 LGBT inclusive hours out of 1,147 total hours (7% of programming). RANK = Fair
FOX – 50 LGBT inclusive hours out of 780 total hours (6% of programming). RANK = Poor
A copy of the report, which has been sent to programming executives at each of the networks, is available here.
