Class materials

1. Inclusive Coverage
Making Diversity a Priority in
Mainstream Media
Presented at
Syracuse University
Principles of Journalism class
Walt Wasilewski, instructor
November 2010
By Sherri Williams, PhD student and freelance writer
www.sherriwilliamsjournalist.com

2. Why diversity matters
• By 2040 the United States will be a majority
minority nation
• Media outlets must keep up with the changing
demographics of the nation or risk becoming
obsolete to diverse audiences
• Inclusive coverage helps readers understand
how and why their environment is changing

3. Diversity of Thought is Essential
Diversity means having a variety of voices
represented in a conversation
Class
Gender
Geography
Race
Nativity
Sexual orientation
Should all be considered when reporting in the media

4. Look for diversity within diversity
Differences exist within groups
• Click to edit Master text styles
– Second level
– Third level
• Fourth level
– Fifth level

5. Tell stories that show what life is like for others
in this country
• Click to edit Master text styles
– Second level
– Third level
• Fourth level
– Fifth level
Ashley Martinez’s quinceañera, a Latin rites-of-passage tradition 15th birthday party

6. Stories that tell readers why immigrants are
here are important
Yasmeen Abbas, husband Dhafer Yassin and three of their children
moved from Baghdad to Columbus, Ohio.

7. Include everyone on every beat
Use data to show how trends hit some groups harder
LaDawnya Ruffin is embraced by a friend at the one-year memorial of her 15-year old son’s murder
Illustrate how people are affected by policies differently

8. How does the presence of the newest
Americans affect cities
• Click to edit Master text styles
– Second level
– Third level
• Fourth level
– Fifth level

9. Tips for covering diverse communities
• Don’t report just conflict, crime and chaos
• Don’t be a parachute journalist
• Create connections in communities
• Become bilingual
• Learn about major and emerging diverse
groups in your community

10. Journalism Diversity Tools and Resources
•United States Census, www.census.gov/newsroom/releases
•Investigative Reporters and Editors, www.ire.org
•Poynter Institute for Media Studies, www.poynter.org/subject.asp?id=32
•Maynard Institute of Journalism Education, www.maynardije.org
•National Association of Black Journalists, www.nabj.org
•National Association of Hispanic Journalists, www.nahj.org
•Asian American Journalism Association, www.aaja.org
•Unity Journalists of Color, www.unityjournalists.org
•Native American Journalists Association, www.naja.com
•National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, www.nlgja.org
•Society of Professional Journalists, www.spj.org/diversity.asp
•Religion Newswriters Association, www.religionwriters.com
•Journalism and Women Symposium, www.jaws.org
•Southern Poverty Law Center, www.splcenter.org
•Pew Social & Demographic Trends, pewsocialtrends.org
•Ethnic publications, websites and television stations