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Tough economy may test newspapers' commitment to diversity

By Wanda S. Lloyd
Executive Director, Diversity Institute at Vanderbilt University

01.14.02

The call came in like many others.

“Mrs. Lloyd?” the young woman’s voice called out over the phone. “I’m a recent college graduate, and I can’t find a newspaper job.”

This young graduate, who identified herself as African-American, said she found my name while trolling the Internet in desperation, trying to find programs and organizations that might serve as gateways to newsroom jobs.

Day after day, she and her contemporaries are knocking on newsroom doors that are closed to new hires.

Two significant milestones in 2001 may have some impact on how newspapers cover communities in 2002. Yet, economics, more than anything else, may have the greatest effect on the quality of journalism.

First, as 2000 U.S. Census numbers came rolling in, projections about the growth of diversity were confirmed. About 30% of the people in this nation are members of racial minority groups — African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American and Native American. Now we have the numerical facts: Our communities are more diverse than ever.

The second milestone was the annual newsroom survey by the American Society of Newspaper Editors, which showed — for the first time — a drop in the number of people of color in newsroom positions at daily newspapers. The lack of retention is the reason this number decreased for the first time since ASNE started gathering the information 23 years ago.

These two conflicting events would be manageable except for one thing: The economy took a nose dive, and with it, the dreams of some for a more inclusive newsroom workforce.

Now, in this era of staff buyouts, frozen positions, budget squeezes and news hole cuts, many wonder whether the top bosses of newspapers and newspaper companies will live up to industry goals of keeping diversity among their top priorities.

Only time — and the economy — will tell. In the meantime, some are moving forward:

• Training institutes continue with programs that prepare people of color to step into internships and first-time jobs.

• Diversity job fairs across the nation provide a venue for college students and recruiters to meet.

• On some college campuses, professors invite journalists of color to speak to classes about what they do and about content diversity.

• Industry associations are forming coalitions to develop solutions in areas such as staff retention and restarting high school newspapers in urban areas.

Is this enough? Probably not. But it shows that commitment to diversity, in some arenas, is real.

If the commitment continues, the young lady whose voice carried the pain of trying to get her foot in the door — and newspaper readers — will be the beneficiaries.