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Celebrating Diversity at the 2006 SPJ Convention

"News in a New America" debuted at the Celebration of Diversity Reception, industry leaders shared their wisdom, and the Diversity Leadership Fellows kicked off a second year.

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At the Celebration of Diversity Reception, Diversity Chair Sally Lehrman spoke about her new book, News in a New America, funded by the John F. and James L. Knight Foundation. Copies are available free by writing publications@knightfdn.org:

"As you know, demographic change is sweeping the country. Not just on the coasts, but in mid-America too. In a few decades, we will be a so-called "majority-ethnic minority" country. At the same time, lesbian, gay and bisexual people and those with disabilities are becoming more visible and active in civil society. Yet, even after several decades of effort, the news media have not kept up, either in staffing or in content. My editor, Eric Newton, asked me to find out why. He asked, how can we rethink this problem?

I consulted with more than 150 people and resources inside newsrooms and out, learning from those who study media and social science. Here's what I found: First, there are historical structures in society that favor some groups and have the effect of limiting the voices in democratic debate. Two, at a very deep level, we unconsciously favor people like ourselves. We turn to them for news leads and as sources. So, unless we take conscious steps to counteract unconscious bias and structural bias, the news media will continue to replicate unequal access and unequal representation in our society.

What can we do? We can question some of what we consider our tried and true journalistic practices. For instance, what is newsworthy? Who is "prominent"? To whom? Who is an "expert"? Only someone with a big title, lots of power?

We can learn from the ethnic media: We can build trust. We can take time. We can include history and context in our stories. We can pay attention to the point of view that frames a story. Is it white? Is it female? Is it middle class?

I'm proud that just this weekend, SPJ once again took steps toward conscious inclusiveness with a board vote to codify the diversity mission in a clearly stated, open, inclusive hiring process for headquarters. I thank you all for your commitment to diversity."

Tenor Rodell Rosel and pianist Celeste Rue closed the reception with a captivating performance.

Six talented journalists received SPJ national leadership training at the 2006 Convention as part of the Diversity Leadership Outreach Program. For the coming year, the fellows will pair with six top "guides" already serving on the board or leading committees.

Fellows visited the Chicago Reporter to learn how to investigate race- and poverty-based inequities by using public documents. Instructors from the Applied Research Center invited the fellows to rethink what "diversity" means and learn about institutional inequality in order to generate long-term, positive change within an organization. Bryan Monroe, editor of Jet and Ebony, dropped by to give an encouraging talk on how to work from the inside out to prepare the news media for America's changing demographics. Cristina Azocar, director of the San Francisco State University Center for the Integration and Improvement of Journalism, geared up the teams for a productive cross-mentoring year. A highlight was the reunion dinner at the Negro League Cafe planned by outgoing fellow Curtis Lawrence of Columbia College, who also developed a panel on black-owned media.

Trailblazers
Elvia Aguilar, Corpus Christi Caller-Times
George Daniels, University of Alabama
Debra Krol, Fort McDowell Yavapai News
Andrea Lewis, KPFA-FM
Gene Murray, Grambling State University
Samaruddin Stewart, AOL-News and Sports

Guides
Clint Brewer, Nashville City Paper
Robert Leger, Arizona Republic
Sally Lehrman, Independent Science and Medical Writer
Mead Loop, Ithaca College
Paul McAfee, Press-Enterprise.com
Deb Wenger, Virginia Commonwealth University