Impact on the media
The murder of George Floyd on 25 May 2020, resulted in global protest, with an increased scrutiny of systemic racism. For a time, George Floyd’s death significantly reshaped the media landscape, with noticeable change in coverage practice, increased conversations around representation, and discourse that challenged the media’s role in addressing racial injustice. In the immediate aftermath, media coverage of the incident surged, reflecting a significant, though temporary, shift in how the media engaged with topics regarding the Black community, race, and more specifically, inequality. Floyd’s death certainly catalysed short-term changes, however on reflection, deeper structural transformation within the media industry remains inconsistent and often superficial.
A significant change in news coverage
Throughout the weeks after George Floyd’s death, it was clear to see a change in the way that major news outlets in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) reported on race and policing. Media coverage of race-related issues in the US increased significantly in the month following George Floyd’s death, compared to the previous year’s monthly average. According to the Pew Research Center (2020), media mentions of “Black Lives Matter” in the US increased more than “100-fold” in June 2020 compared to the previous month. Between May and July 2020, ‘The New York Times’ alone published over 700 articles referencing systemic racism. Similarly, UK media outlets including The Guardian, BBC, and Channel 4 launched dedicated programming, specifically highlighting stories of the Black community, and addressing racial injustice, policing, and legacies of colonialism. Examples include “George Floyd: Newsround special programme on US protests and racism” and “Take Your Knee Off My Neck”.
The visibility of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in the UK increased rapidly, with over 260 protests taking place across the country during the summer of 2020 (The Independent, 2020). For a while, the British media took a more critical approach to racial issues, drawing media attention to the Windrush scandal, current and historical police discrimination, and the apparent and disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on Black communities across the country.
Representation and inclusion in the media Industry
Countless media outlets issued statements in support of racial justice and many went on to carry out internal audits. The Reuters Institute (2021) reported that more than 70% of US newsrooms conducted diversity audits or internal reviews in the year following George Floyd’s death. The New York Times and The Washington Post expanded their race reporting teams, stating that they recognise the importance of inclusive and nuanced storytelling.
In the UK, Ofcom (2021) found that while 13% of the UK population comes from minority ethnic backgrounds, only 9% of senior editorial roles in UK broadcasting were held by people of colour – data reflecting Black staff specifically is less accessible. Some broadcasters, including the BBC, ITV, and Channel 4, made commitments to improve representation. The BBC pledged £100 million over three years to fund diverse content as part of it’s “Creative Diversity Commitment”.
However, it is argued that many of these initiatives lack transparency and fail to address deeper structural imbalances in commissioning and editorial decision-making (LSE Media Policy Project, 2021). A 2022 analysis by Nieman Lab found only marginal increases in Black leadership within newsrooms, suggesting no real commitment to genuine change. It is true that some institutions made clear efforts to lift diverse voices, however these changes often amounted to performative allyship rather than meaningful systemic transformation.
A lack of sustainability
Despite the initial momentum, there is growing evidence of regression. A 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that 72% of Americans believe media attention relating to racial justice issues has declined significantly since 2020. A 2022 YouGov poll in the UK reported that public support for the BLM movement fell from 56% in June 2020 to just 37% by mid-2021. British right-leaning tabloids, including The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Mail framed BLM protests as disruptive and “anti-British,”. Initiatives associated with BLM or broader diversity goals were, and often still are frequently portrayed as politically divisive, undermining support for continued progress.
Over time, public interest shifted and there was an increased sense of political polarisation, with the media scaling back their race-focused coverage. In hindsight, the initial surge in coverage has fallen flat, raising questions about the media’s capabilities when it comes to accountability, and serving as a platform for marginalised voices.
Conclusion
The murder of George Floyd could be described as a watershed moment. In the immediate aftermath, there was a clear and significant shift in the media, with unprecedented coverage of race-related issues, public commitments to diversity, and expanded platforms for marginalised voices. For a time, the media took a more inclusive and socially conscious approach to reporting. However, as time passed, the momentum came to a halt. There were some improvements in Black representation and awareness of racial issues, however it became clear that they were often superficial, inconsistent, and lacked the structural depth required for meaningful, and sustainable change.
The media’s response to George Floyd’s death revealed both its potential to drive societal change as well as its limitations in maintaining it. The initial surge in racial justice reporting and self-reflection at an institutional level has not fully translated into meaningful, long-term reform. Instead, the media’s regression, performative gestures, and political polarisation have hindered much of the progress made in 2020. This raises questions about the media’s willingness to uphold its responsibility in challenging systemic inequality, outside of moments of dire crisis.
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