But TV One executives contend that Obama isn't getting a "rubber stamp" from the network. One of the hosts for the "Afterparty" program will be the Rev. Marcia Dyson, a strong supporter of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.). Also, comedian Sheryl Underwood, a Republican, will be one of the panelists as well.
"We've gotten folks who can discuss these issues and what's happening from all sides of the coin," said Robert Branch, TV One's director of programming and production. "There will be balance from people who can speak with passion."
Meanwhile, Black Entertainment Television is returning to limited journalism after abandoning its nightly newscast in 2005. The network will feature periodic reports and interviews from the floor and will broadcast Obama's acceptance speech live. It also will air a special live edition of its new weekly news show, "The Truth With Jeff Johnson."
Kevin Brown, BET's vice president of news and public affairs, rejects the suggestion that his network might be biased in its coverage.
"I really take offense to the charge that black journalists can't be objective. There is the celebratory nature of the moment, that's true," said Brown. "But we're going to call the candidates on their agendas. We can't give either of them a free pass. We do have to keep in mind our demographic, which is the 18- to 34-year-old viewer, and be responsive to that. But that will not taint the integrity of the journalism that goes into it."
But not everyone regards possible preferential treatment of Obama by black cable networks as damaging.
"I don't have a problem with the cheerleading," said Darnell Hunt, head of the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA. "The black press will provide a perspective and viewpoint you won't get from other press."
The networks dream of landing an interview with the candidate, or at the very least, with his wife, Michelle. TV One also wants to interview members of the Congressional Black Caucus, who are frequently overlooked by mainstream news shows.
They both plan to greatly scale back their efforts at the Republican National Convention, which begins Sept. 1. BET will offer only limited coverage, while TV One will have none.
"Just by definition, covering the Republican National Convention doesn't fit into our mission, and our viewers would not expect it," said Rodgers. "There's no need for us to bring a presence to an event if there's no African Americans involved."
