Exclusive: Roland Martin trades Chicago Defender for CNN
News of CNN's affliation announced during 180th Anniversary of the Black Press 
March 16, 2007 – Wash, DC – (BlackPressMagazine.com) – As America came together to celebrate the 180th Anniversary and National Black Press Week, the industry took a hit as one of the most recognizable figures left the black owned media industry for a job in corporate media. Black Press veteran Lou Ransom has been named his replacement.
Roland S. Martin, the executive editor for the Chicago Defender and a nationally syndicated columnist and Chicago-based radio host, will join Cable News Network. Martin will serve as a contributor across several programs effective immediately, and, in the coming months, the network will develop various other programming concepts around him.
His decision marks a trend among America 's top Black journalists to leave the heritage-owned publications that make up the Black Press. With over 450 Black owned newspapers and magazines listed in the Black Press Yearbook: Who's Who in Black Media directory, it's hard to imagine that Martin couldn't have found a home within the Black Press. But as a former CNNer, I know the mass appeal that working for the network it has. He'd been gone for a week or two, replaced by Lou Ransom, but the announcement was delayed and the timing equated to delivering a gut punch to the industry.
"Roland did his own thing; and he was never [at the Chicago Defender]," said one insider who requested not to be named. "He was off promoting his book or doing a commentary or delivering a speech. Some of us believe it could be for the best for everyone."
At a time when America 's Black Press is facing one of its biggest challenges with the advertising crisis, losing Black editorial talent is a huge blow. Even though Martin was controversial and often ended up being the news himself. A year or so ago, Martin battled with Oprah Winfrey putting the paper in the headlines. A few months ago, Martin made amends and became the first in-studio guest on "Oprah and Friends," her popular telephone call-in talk show on XM Radio. Martin and Winfrey were at odds over her decision not to attend the August 2005 funeral of the late John H. Johnson, who founded Ebony and JET magazines. The spat, which made national news, angered Winfrey and led to a rift.
Can the Black Press compete with mainstream media?
More and more African American journalists are going to work for mainstream news outlets, leaving Black-owned news outlets unbalanced. CNN is a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, which purchased Essence Magazine a formerly Black-owned magazine.
George Curry, former editor-in-chief for a Washington, DC based newspaper group, recently resigned. There's no word yet on whether he will head to the mainstream or land at another Black owned media outlet. The departures have some wondering if the Black Press can effectively compete with the mainstream media.
"As a multifaceted journalist steeped in the traditions of storytelling and truth-seeking, Roland offers a powerful voice on subjects ranging from politics to religion to race to numerous other social issues," said Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S who made the announcement. "We're very pleased to have him contribute to a wide range of CNN stories."
BLACK WRITERS AFFECTED BY COPYRIGHT CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT
Update: The class action lawsuit was brought by a group of largely White freelancer writers who alleged that their copyrights were infringed and that their work was published without compensation or their consent. Many Black newspapers and magazines have been named defendants. The appeal from the court's Order of September 2005 approving the settlement of this class action. Oral argument was held on March 7, 2007. Michael Boni argued for plaintiffs and the Class, Charles Sims argued for the defendants and Charles Chalmers argued for the objectors. We cannot predict how the panel will rule, or when. It is not unusual for Courts of Appeal to rule 6-9 months after the oral argument, or even longer. Please check this page periodically for any updates.
Find out if you're affected by the Copyright Class Action lawsuit.
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