; Whereas research by the American Society of News Editors, the Radio Television Digital News Association, the Pew Research Center, and others has documented the continued challenges of increasing diversity among all types of media entities; Whereas 50 years after the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, better known as the Kerner Commission , concluded that, [t]he painful process of readjustment that is required of the American news media must begin now , people of color and rural populations continue to be underrepresented and stereotyped in the media and, despite comprising over 40 percent of the population, have limited participation in ownership and control of media decision making; and Whereas the constriction in small independent and diverse media outlets and limited participation of diverse populations in media ownership and decision making is combining to negatively impact our goal of increasing local civic engagement and civic knowledge through increased voter participation, membership in civic groups, and knowledge of local political and civil information: Now, therefore, be it