Time is right to commit to diversity
Commentary
By Charles L. Overby
Chairman and CEO, The Freedom Forum
10.15.98
When the leaders of the American Society of Newspaper Editors meet later this month, they have the opportunity to adopt an expanded and more meaningful goal for increasing minority representation in newsrooms.
Despite good efforts by many editors around the country, the number of minorities in newsrooms is leveling off, even though the minority population continues to increase.
The gap is stark, and it is going to get wider in a hurry unless editors mount a new campaign. The current gap: 12% vs. 26% minority population.
Why has this happened? Many theories exist among editors, but one disturbing term emerges: "diversity fatigue."
Minorities will take no comfort in this term, but it means that many of the individuals and companies who have worked for two decades to improve minority hiring are discouraged by the results and are giving priority to other matters.
They're not abandoning ship, but they are focusing on other issues.
That's why a new ASNE goal on minorities in newsrooms is important. It can and should serve as a new call to arms.
The ASNE board is considering a proposal that would increase minority representation in newsrooms by 1% each year until 2025. That would result in parity with the population.
But the focus on percentages masks the need to look at individuals. To increase the number of minorities in newsrooms by 1% next year, 1,180 new minority journalists must be hired. That's 550 for the 1% increase and 630 to replace those who will be leaving (about 10%).
The chart below shows that the number of new minorities who must be recruited, trained and hired each year rises to 2,610 by 2025.
This can be done only if leaders in the newspaper industry give this priority. It will not happen if "diversity fatigue" overwhelms those who have the power to change it.
Harry Brooks, a Freedom Forum trustee, was a leader in helping the military improve minority representation in its officer corps. He said: "We proved that any objective can be reached if you're willing to provide enough money, commitment and time."
The Freedom Forum is committing itself to new plans that will help increase the number of minorities in the journalism pipeline. The time is right for others to renew their commitments.