29 October 2006
Ethnic minority groups watch less television, but use the internet and mobile phones more than the rest of the UK population, figures from Ofcom have revealed.
According to a study by the communications watchdog, ethnic minority groups (EMGs) were found to watch around three hours and 16 minutes of television per day, compared to three hours and 37 minutes for the average person in the UK.
What is more EMG adults spend less time watching television on channels run by public service broadcasters (PSBs) than the UK average, with PSB channels accounting for less than half of EMG viewing.
However, 83% of EMGs stated that access to communications technology such as the internet and mobile phones was important to them, compared to the UK average of just 69%.
Additionally, 80% of people questioned said they had a broadband internet connection, a significant 6% up on the UK average and were more reliant on their mobile phones that the national average, with mobile take-up among this group, at 83% compared to 80%.
Ofcom Chief Executive Ed Richards said: "This latest research from Ofcom shows encouraging take-up of digital communications services among ethnic minority groups."
However he warned that the evidence may suggest that "Britain's most watched broadcasters need to reflect on whether they are connecting sufficiently with minority ethnic groups".
The report looked individually at EMGs including Asian total, Indian, Pakistani, Black Caribbean and Black African.
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