Claire Klodell
ck464915@ohio.edu
Representation Should Be Mandatory
Diversity within any workforce should be a required imperative. Within media, it’s immensely difficult to display an equal ratio of diversity without a minority feeling like a token. As individuals, our imposed views and beliefs are based on circumstances outside of our control. We are influenced by our parents, religion, socioeconomic status, and race. John Rawls, a modern-day philosopher, established the theory that no one can truly maintain a non-biased viewpoint. The only way one can achieve a stance of complete non-bias opinion is if they wore a hypothetical “Veil of Ignorance”, which would eliminate all of these preconceived notions.
As Journalists, Why Does it Matter?
As journalists, it is our job to report stories with a level stance. Unfortunately, this is nearly impossible. One way to solve this problem is to make it a requirement to bring intellectual correspondents from a multiplicity of backgrounds. It should be a requirement, not a praised deed, to have accurate representation within a corporation. According to the 2012 Milburn report on social mobility, "journalism has shifted to a greater degree of social exclusivity than any other profession".
"Whiteness of Radio Voices"
One of the biggest controversies on public radio is about the "whiteness" of radio voices. Radio host and poet Al Letson spoke about this issue on NPR. "In public media, we talk about diversity a lot. So much so, that when it's brought up, I roll my eyes. Not because I don't believe in it, but because it's a buzzword with little weight. I've heard the song and dance so much in the past, I no longer get excited when the music comes on. If an organization is talking about diversity but doesn't invest in it, what's the value of all that talk?"
The Facts
Although the gender gap has narrowed, racial minorities are almost entirely absent from many journalism jobs. According to the 2015 American Society of News Editors census, black people and Hispanics make up only 4.74 and 4.19 percent of newsroom employers.
Alex Williams, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Pennsylvania who studies trends in journalism, says that journalists are "disproportionately white, male, middle-to-upper class, and college educated." A study conducted in 2013 by Indiana University professors reported that 91 percent of journalists are white, 62 percent are men, 92 percent are college graduates, and 7 percent are Republicans, with most journalists identifying as independents.
Media As A Whole
The lack of representation within the media goes far beyond journalism. This issue has been ongoing for years, and a documentary created in 2013 called The Representation Project did an incredible job with their research. Aside from producing a documentary, they have created short explainer videos showing how unfair woman and girls are treated by the media. in this video, they begin by introducing all of the accomplishments women have achieved within the past year. Later, they show much much longer we have to go before we reach a true representation of equality.
As journalists, it is our job to report stories with a level stance. Unfortunately, this is nearly impossible. One way to solve this problem is to make it a requirement to bring intellectual correspondents from a multiplicity of backgrounds. It should be a requirement, not a praised deed, to have accurate representation within a corporation. According to the 2012 Milburn report on social mobility, "journalism has shifted to a greater degree of social exclusivity than any other profession".
"Whiteness of Radio Voices"
One of the biggest controversies on public radio is about the "whiteness" of radio voices. Radio host and poet Al Letson spoke about this issue on NPR. "In public media, we talk about diversity a lot. So much so, that when it's brought up, I roll my eyes. Not because I don't believe in it, but because it's a buzzword with little weight. I've heard the song and dance so much in the past, I no longer get excited when the music comes on. If an organization is talking about diversity but doesn't invest in it, what's the value of all that talk?"
The Facts
Although the gender gap has narrowed, racial minorities are almost entirely absent from many journalism jobs. According to the 2015 American Society of News Editors census, black people and Hispanics make up only 4.74 and 4.19 percent of newsroom employers.
Alex Williams, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Pennsylvania who studies trends in journalism, says that journalists are "disproportionately white, male, middle-to-upper class, and college educated." A study conducted in 2013 by Indiana University professors reported that 91 percent of journalists are white, 62 percent are men, 92 percent are college graduates, and 7 percent are Republicans, with most journalists identifying as independents.
Media As A Whole
The lack of representation within the media goes far beyond journalism. This issue has been ongoing for years, and a documentary created in 2013 called The Representation Project did an incredible job with their research. Aside from producing a documentary, they have created short explainer videos showing how unfair woman and girls are treated by the media. in this video, they begin by introducing all of the accomplishments women have achieved within the past year. Later, they show much much longer we have to go before we reach a true representation of equality.
No comments:
Post a Comment