As part of an in-progress study of Black state legislators' evaluation of the performance of White-owned newspapers in their communities, mail questionnaires were sent to 342 Black state senators and state representatives listed in "Black Elected Officials: A National Roster." One hundred seventeen officials have returned the questionnaires. Five-point Liker-type "Strongly Agree"/"Strongly Disagree" items measured the sample's agreement with statements on the performance of the White-owned press, and views of Black state legislators on how newspapers can gain a better understanding of news or interest to Black readers and ways press coverage can be improved. Results showed that there was striking agreement among Black legislators that press coverage in their communities was inadequate with regard to news about Blacks and the Black community. There was also strong indication that Black legislators think the White-owned press does not understand some issues that involve Blacks in their communities. As for possible solutions, the legislators think that increased contact between themselves and reporters and between Black leaders in the community and reporters would contribute to better understanding and better newspapers. In addition, 89% of the respondents think that more Black reporters should be hired to increase understanding of news of interest to Black readers and 74% think that understanding would increase if the White-owned press would hire a Black editor. (Two tables of data and 17 footnotes are attached.) (ARH)