Why You Keep Hearing the Same 7 Voices on Texas Politics

Despite increasing diversity across the state, political analysis is falling short.

Audio available shortly.

By Rhonda FanningMarch 27, 2015 9:29 am

This morning on Texas Standard, David Brown talks with Edward Espinosa, executive director of the Texas Research Institute, about a recent report demonstrating the lack of diversity in Texas political analysis.

An examination of news reports from various mediums, including TV and radio, finds that seven political scientists dominated coverage in the last half of 2014.

“The political challenges facing the state of Texas are vast and wide,” Espinoza says.  “The people of Texas deserve access to multiple perspectives that can analyze those challenges from diverse geographic and demographic backgrounds.”

Black, white, brown, male, female, young and old: the demographic make-up of our state is constantly undergoing transformation, yet the vast amount of our political commentary comes out of the Rio Grande Valley, Houston, and the Dallas Fort-Worth area. The study finds there was little to no representation from regions such as El Paso or San Antonio.

According to 2013 U.S. Census data, men and women make up an almost equal population percentage in Texas, Whites make up 44 percent, with Hispanics comprising 38 percent and Blacks 12 percent.

This post was prepared with assistance from Jane Schwartz