Massive joint diversity effort needed
Commentary
By Charles L. Overby
Chairman and CEO, The Freedom Forum
05.30.00
All journalists know that asking the right question is the essential part of an interview.
The Freedom Forum has talked with dozens of newspaper editors as we prepare to launch new programs to help increase diversity in newsrooms. We've been looking for answers. The search has caused us to step back and look at the questions anew.
Why does diversity in newsrooms matter?
The Freedom Forum's interest stems from the belief that the future of newspapers
as a mass medium depends on having newsrooms that reflect the full diversity of
the community.
That includes racial diversity, gender diversity, age diversity, political diversity and religious diversity. These are five major ways that people define themselves. There are other ways, of course, but these seem to represent the largest blocs. All five need attention, but racial diversity needs the most.
Race is still the most divisive aspect of American society. Paying attention to racial issues in newsrooms is more than good social policy - it's good business.
How can more people of color be attracted to newspaper newsrooms?
This is the most critical question. The gap is wide: 12% people of color in
newspaper newsrooms vs. 28% in the population.
In the long run, much more must be done at the high school level and below. The Knight Foundation is starting some work with the American Society of Newspaper Editors to increase the number of students interested in journalism.
But in the long run, as they say, we're all dead. We want to focus on the short run. That's why we're emphasizing the college level and beyond. We will try new training techniques, recruitment methods and placement ideas.
Are there enough people of color in schools of mass communication and
journalism to increase minority numbers in a significant way for newspapers?
Probably not. Not many minorities are turning to newspapers for careers.
Newspapers need to be much more aggressive in developing long-term partnerships
with colleges to nurture greater interest among minorities.
New approaches need to be found. Journalism educators at the University of Memphis, for instance, host mixers for students already on campus, an unabashed effort to attract students who have declared or are leaning toward other majors.
Of course, most journalism educators do not see it as part of their jobs to encourage students to enter newspaper careers. Some educators are downright hostile to newspapers. Newspaper editors and publishers need to do more work with colleges and college students.
Can minorities from outside traditional journalism training sources be
attracted to newspaper careers?
We think a program that focuses on intensive training and mentoring can work. We
are establishing The Freedom Forum Institute at Vanderbilt University to train
minorities with non-traditional backgrounds. This might include teachers, people
from the military, mid-career folks who think they can do more with their lives,
college graduates and non-graduates alike.
The institute is designed to train candidates for 12 weeks, followed by a newspaper internship and a mentoring program.
Can a 12-week intensive stint at our institute provide enough training for a
person to succeed in a newsroom?
Obviously, it will depend on the person and how much education or life
experience each participant brings to the training. Editors disagree about the
need for a college degree. Some believe it is absolutely necessary and would
signal a lowering of standards if non-graduates were hired. Other editors
believe life experience could offset a lack of education.
The institute is not designed in any way to replace journalism schools. This is an alternative approach to help people who didn't have the benefit of journalism school.
Will $1 million attract substantial numbers of minorities to newsrooms at
smaller newspapers?
We think money can help provide an incentive to news-papers and aspiring
journalists. But it can't work by itself.
That's why we put $1 million into a partnership with ASNE and the Associated Press Managing Editors. We believe most editors are committed to hiring more people of color. Chris Anderson, the immediate past president of ASNE, was instrumental in developing this partnership. Rich Oppel, the current president, and Jerry Ceppos, president of APME, are committed to energizing their members in this effort.
There is no one solution to hiring more minorities for newsrooms. A massive, cooperative effort is required, along with a willingness to take risks with some radical new approaches.
The stakes are too high to do anything less.