DIVERSITY WILL MAKE NEWSROOMS STRONGER
by Leo E. Laurence, San Diego "Pro" Chapter and Member, National Committee on Diversity
When a story comes into your newsroom involving a minority, Gays or the disabled, your coverage will be more sensitive and better written IF the journalist is a member of that community.
By diversity, the SPJ's National Committee on Diversity includes Gays and the disabled, not limiting diversity to racial minorities.
For example, a story on how the credit crunch is affecting the African-American community will probably be better written by an African-American reporter.
Another timely story is the gay marriage issue, particularly since the California Supreme Court ruled on May 15th that they are legal. Actually, it held that the state's laws limited marriage to straight couples violated the state's Constitution.
This is a story that will be around for awhile inasmuch as the opposition has launched a well-funded campaign to overturn the court's dramatic ruling with an initiative on the November ballot.
It is an explosive and controversial topic that a gay reporter might do a much better job writing.
Some editors complain that not enough diverse reporters are applying for jobs to be able to make their newsrooms diverse.
In that case, it is the duty of the editor or news director to go out a recruit new hires, if they want a stronger newroom.
The SPJ's website has suggestions under diversity.
Many diversity communities have their own national, professional organizations, like the CCNMA - Latino Journalists of California, the Black Journalists Assn., the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Assn. and the Asian-American Journalists Association. Each will assit in recruiting.
If that doesn't work, editors can invite local leaders to come in and talk with their staffs about how to better cover stories to avoid damaging stereotypes.
In San Diego, for example, the mainstream media had historically covered the annual Gay Pride parade in the summer with photos and videos of stereotypical drag queens, while ignoring the large contingent of gay law enforcement officers.
The San Diego "Pro" Chapter, however, has helped change such situations with monthly workshops for the working media and friends. A recent successful panel discussed issues of diversity in newsrooms.
Besides avoiding slanted coverage, a newsroom with a diverse staff will usually produce more enterprise or exclusive stories. Minority reporters will know of issues in their communities that are missed by other media.
If you are covering a story about Native Americans, for example, a Native-American reporter will probably receive a warmer reception on a tribal reservation. They will find tribal leaders more willing to open up during interviews.
I served for several years as a "bombero" (firefighter) in Tijuana, Mexico. When I've interviewed the Consul General of Mexico in San Diego, after he learned of my "bombero" service, the diplomat seemed much more at ease during interviews.
Immigration issues are prominent in our national news. However, our mainstream media frequently refer to those who are undocumented as "illegal aliens," or "illegals;" much the same way that the anti-Mexican Minutemen do along our southern border.
In America, our federal Constituion clearly says that everyone is considered innocent until a court of law says otherwise. Therefore, only a judge sitting on an active case can rule that an undocumented immigrant is illegal.
A Latino journalist will be sensitive to that issue.
The SPJ has found that newsrooms with staffs that are balanced with diversity in mind are stronger, have better morale and produce more exclusives.
For comment, add your opinions to this blog, or contact Leo Laurence at leopowerhere@msn.com or call (619) 757-4909 cell.