Inclusive Coverage

Making Diversity a Priority in Mainstream Media

Presented atSyracuse University

Principles of Journalism classWalt Wasilewski, instructor

November 2010 By Sherri Williams, PhD student and freelance writer

www.sherriwilliamsjournalist.com

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Why diversity matters

• By 2040 the United States will be a majority minority nation

• Media outlets must keep up with the changing demographics of the nation or risk becoming obsolete to diverse audiences

• Inclusive coverage helps readers understand how and why their environment is changing

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Diversity of Thought is Essential

Diversity means having a variety of voices represented in a conversation

ClassGender

GeographyRace

Nativity Sexual orientation

Should all be considered when reporting in the media

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Look for diversity within diversityDifferences exist within groups

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Tell stories that show what life is like for others in this country

Ashley Martinez’s quinceañera, a Latin rites-of-passage tradition 15th birthday party

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Stories that tell readers why immigrants are here are important

Yasmeen Abbas, husband Dhafer Yassin and three of their children moved from Baghdad to Columbus, Ohio.

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Include everyone on every beat

Use data to show how trends hit some groups harder

LaDawnya Ruffin is embraced by a friend at the one-year memorial of her 15-year old son’s murder

Illustrate how people are affected by policies differently

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How does the presence of the newest Americans affect cities

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Tips for covering diverse communities

• Don’t report just conflict, crime and chaos• Don’t be a parachute journalist• Create connections in communities• Become bilingual • Learn about major and emerging diverse

groups in your community

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Journalism Diversity Tools and Resources

• United States Census, www.census.gov/newsroom/releases• Investigative Reporters and Editors, www.ire.org• Poynter Institute for Media Studies, www.poynter.org/subject.asp?id=32• Maynard Institute of Journalism Education, www.maynardije.org• National Association of Black Journalists, www.nabj.org• National Association of Hispanic Journalists, www.nahj.org• Asian American Journalism Association, www.aaja.org• Unity Journalists of Color, www.unityjournalists.org• Native American Journalists Association, www.naja.com• National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, www.nlgja.org• Society of Professional Journalists, www.spj.org/diversity.asp• Religion Newswriters Association, www.religionwriters.com• Journalism and Women Symposium, www.jaws.org • Southern Poverty Law Center, www.splcenter.org• Pew Social & Demographic Trends, pewsocialtrends.org• Ethnic publications, websites and television stations