Diversity In Journalism Essay

What is the role of diversity in the newsroom?

Use of the term diversity and its role in journalism only calls attention to the lack of it in newsrooms and magazines across the country. In their absence, I’d argue that the true value of having people of various ethnic and racial backgrounds on staff has as much to do with improving the process of newsgathering and reporting as it does achieving racial parity. In short, I think the role of diversity in journalism is to make journalism better.

For example, Donald Trump’s recent visit to Mexico not only exposed the divisions within the Republican Party but the junket also shed light on who gets to tell the story of his bid for the Whitehouse. Aside from Trump’s well-publicized spat with the news anchor Jorge Ramos; it’s apparent

I’ve been asked that question more than once and my stock answer is I don’t see myself as an advocate for diversity. Being more than proficient at my job is advocacy is enough. The people with the power to make actual changes within media organizations are the individuals that need to take a hard look at themselves and ask what they can do to become more inclusive.

Having said that, I’m very supportive of other journalists that ask me direct questions or need help tracking down a source or resource. They can be black, white, brown or an Eskimo chief; it really doesn’t matter to me. On a pragmatic level, I don’t think I can afford to be selfish. Many journalists, regardless of their backgrounds find themselves in the same position that I find myself in. They struggle with the Sisyphean task of juggling assignments, finding meaningful work to sustain their careers and chasing down money owed to them.

3) Describe how attending ScienceWriters conference would advance your professional goals

I live in a Southern California beach town at a far remove from major media markets, which means I get very little face time with editors or colleagues