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The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C. Ted Vaden: Minority omission damages a good feature
AAJA offers suggestions on improving diversity coverage after The News & Observer published a fall fashion spread.
August 13, 2007
Adrienne Johnson Martin, Pop Culture Editor
Linda Williams, Deputy Managing Editor
Ted Vaden, Public Editor
The News & Observer, Raleigh, North Carolina
Dear Ms. Johnson Martin, Ms. Williams and Mr. Vaden,
Thank you for your thoughtful reflection on concerns raised by some readers of the News & Observer's recent fall fashion spread.
As you know, it is important for all of us to acknowledge shortfalls in accurately portraying -- whether through image or words -- the communities and issues we cover.
As working journalists in such tight and challenging times, we are collectively being asked to do more with less just to meet deadlines. But while this might be a one-time misstep, we urge using this experience as an opportunity for better coverage in the future.
We offer a few suggestions along those lines. These are likely not new to the N & O's staff but this may be a good time to revisit them. We hope they can serve as a foundation for further discussion in all of our newsrooms.
* Plan ahead. Time is valuable for all of us, but taking extra time to evaluate how to execute a project before it goes to press can save precious time -- and in this case angst -- later.
* Reach out. Extra efforts must be made at times to go where more diverse sources are. If staffing is an issue, interns can be tapped to spread the word and collect contact information. Beyond the regular reporting methods we all use, diversity databases and readers' panels can sometime serve as conduits to minority communities.
* Meet up. Take this spread and seek out reader reaction in local classrooms, or ask for feedback via an ombudsman or section editor. Perhaps community members will have ideas of specific people or paths that can be used to help make future coverage more inclusive. Plus, such an effort would signal to the community that you are not brushing aside criticism.
The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) is a professional and educational organization with nearly 2,000 members across the country with a common goal of fair and accurate coverage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. AAJA is committed to diversity and is a member of UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc., along with the Native American Journalists Association.
Please remember that AAJA stands as a partner with you when it comes to diversity in coverage and has a variety of resources to offer. They include Media Access workshops by local AAJA chapters and connections to ethnic community associations with members in your area.
Thank you for your efforts and time.
Sincerely,
AAJA Media Watch Committee
Jeanne Mariani-Belding
President
Asian American Journalists Association
Cristina Azocar
President
Native American Journalists Association