Diversifying Reporting

Lauren Yusko
ly247404@ohio.edu



An Ongoing Process
It is sad to think that many biracial people feel they must declare themselves one race or another. It is a time in which America has elected its first biracial president, but still, the debate over race continues…and it is as sticky of a subject as ever. Race is an integral part of our everyday lives, an intertwining thread in a vibrant patchwork. Learning how to deal with race, however, continues to be a work in progress and it is critical that journalists handle it with grace.

A Multiracial Stance
I found Barry Yeoman’s article “Rethinking the Race Beat” truly intriguing, especially in regards to the contention over whether or not specialized journalists, who have developed a mature expertise in the subject matter, should cover race. I then thought back to my summer internship, where I wrote music and movie reviews for an entertainment weekly. Film has always been a love of mine, so I felt comfortable and knowledgeable when writing movie reviews. Music, on the other hand, I can hardly say I held a specialization in. Even though I had a basic knowledge of the subject, I was too inexperienced to criticize musicians accordingly. Who’s to say my opinions were fair? I feel everyone should be aware of racial issues and take them into account, especially when reporting on matters that affect the community. However, I also believe that specialized journalists with multiracial views are necessary when capturing less biased and more in-depth, accurate depictions.





Image Credit: SGEntrepreneurs



Journalists Are Humans, Too!
Martin Gilens brings to attention startling research in his article “Poor People in the News: Images from the Journalistic Subconscious.” Research shows that we, as humans, can develop stereotypes subconsciously, which ultimately affect our behavior…sad, but true. This is why it is increasingly important to recognize and overcome preconceptions. According to Gilens, "Jounalists are professional observers and chroniclers of our social world. But they are also residents of that world and are exposed to the same biases and stereotypes that characterize society." Time pressure and adhering to deadlines also raise the risk of creating stereotypes. This is why specialized journalists are essential when covering race and other issues (such as poverty or religion), because they bring stories to us that would not normally be covered and do so with compassion, despite deadlines.

An Example to Live By
Photojournalist William Albert Allard is an outstanding example of what I think a specialized journalist should be like. When taking photographs of the Amish and the Hutterites for National Geographic, Allard really took the time to earn the trust of the community. For the first time, the Hutterites were brought to the public’s attention with adoration and sincerity. Religion, like race, deserves careful attention…and passionate journalists who actually have respect for the people they are reporting on.