Kerry supports, encourages minority voices in media

By Elwin Green and Anthony Pennington
Diversity Institute Fellows

08.06.04

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Sen. John Kerry said Thursday that if he were elected he would support diversity in the media by appointing new commissioners to the Federal Commissions Commission.

Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate, told the UNITY 2004 conference attendees in the Washington Convention Center that he would select commissioners committed to enforcing equal employment in the media.

By La Shinda Clark, Summer 1995 Chips Quinn Scholar

The pledge was part of a wide-ranging speech in which Kerry also challenged UNITY journalists to be reporters and referees who helped make sure minority voices were heard and government officials were held accountable for their public policies.

 “You are the watch men and women on the walls of liberty,” Kerry said.

Kerry’s speech was the first of several high-profile presentations planned for UNITY 2004. Secretary of State Colin Powell also addressed the convention later Thursday. President George W. Bush spoke Friday morning.

Kerry attracted a large turnout.

At 7 a.m., two hours before his scheduled appearance, the front rows of the auditorium were filled. About 50 people were backed up at the security checkpoint. They filed through three metal detectors, where security guards checked bags. On the other side, a convention volunteer checked for registration badges.

By 9 a.m., the 5,300-seat room was packed, with more than a dozen video cameras mounted on two platforms.

The crowd gave Kerry a standing ovation when he appeared and a second standing ovation at the end of his speech.

By La Shinda Clark, Summer 1995 Chips Quinn Scholar

The speech drew favorable reactions from the crowd.

Clarence W. Thomas, professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, said, “It’s obvious Kerry did his homework” on diversity issues, such as funding for Native American tribal governments.

Judith Vecchione, executive producer for documentaries at WBGH television in Boston, said, “I think it was a good warm speech,” and Kerry responded well to tough questions from the panel. “He said some things we’d heard before, and he said some new things.”

Referring also to President Bush’s appearance, Vecchione said it was “very good that people are eager to talk to this organization. It’s nice to know that this group is that important.”

Related

UNITY 2004 coverage by Diversity Institute reporters
Summer fellows file dispatches from Washington, D.C., where more than 7,000 journalists of color are attending convention workshops, speeches, receptions.  08.05.04