UNITY Urges ASNE to Refocus Diversity Goals
Related Link:
Poynter Online: Newsrooms Losing Color: Outflow Outstripping Newcomers
by Tom Huang,
Ethics and Diversity Fellow
UNITY: Journalists of Color says the goal of parity by 2025 is unattainable and urged ASNE to refocus its diversity initiatives on the promotion and retention of journalists of color in management.
Read UNITY PRESS RELEASE
Numbers for both the Asian American total newsroom workforce and Asian American newsroom supervisors declined from last year's numbers. The latest survey also indicates that 423 newspapers have no single minority in their newsrooms, a number that has steadily increased since 2006.
AAJA, through its national president Jeanne Mariani-Belding, released the following statement in response to the latest numbers:"During these challenging times diversity is even more critical, as newspapers fight for relevance, credibility and to build audiences. It’s widely understood that diversity is good for business. Our nation’s demographics show that in a few short years more than half our population will be people of color. Many states are already there."
"Clearly diversity and the perspective it brings are instrumental to fair and accurate coverage in the media. As industry leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure that diversity remains a priority. "
"All four minority groups—including Asian Americans – saw a drop in the sheer number of journalists working in this nation’s newsrooms. And the overall percentages of journalists in the newsroom remain stagnant and far from the ASNE parity goal. It’s time to work together to turn this troubling tide. As a UNITY partner, AAJA supports refocusing our efforts on retention and promotion of journalists of color, particularly in senior management, as key to achieving that parity goal."
Read 2008 ASNE SURVEY RESULTS.
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