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Furthering the rallying cry for diversity in prime time, a coalition of Latino groups called Tuesday for a ''brownout,'' urging viewers to turn off the TV to spur change.''We want to show the networks who only want to focus on young, white audiences what their ratings would be like if Latinos, African-Americans, Asians and Native Americans all dropped out,'' says Felix Sanchez, president of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.
The foundation, with the National Council of La Raza, is asking viewers to tune out the week of Sept. 12, the start of Hispanic Heritage Month. The action doesn't come at a key time for broadcasters: Most new shows launch a week later.
The networks have been under attack since unveiling a slate of fall shows with mostly white faces. The NAACP has said it might sue the networks on the basis of the Federal Communications Act, which mandates public airwaves.
''We applaud any organization that's bringing attention to this issue'' and want ''constructive ideas on a lasting solution to this problem,'' ABC spokesman Ed Dandridge says.
The National Hispanic Media Coalition called for a boycott of ABC in 1995. But beyond some Latino specials, there's been little improvement, Sanchez says.
''Including minorities on our air is an issue that has been a top priority for some time,'' NBC says in a statement.
''We think all networks can and intend to do more,'' CBS says.
Latino actors in prime time include CBS' Hector Elizondo (Chicago Hope), NBC's Bruno Campos (Jesse) and Fox's Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show). For fall, Martin Sheen plays the president in NBC's West Wing.
