Diversity in the Workplace; but Especially in Journalism

Diversity in the Workplace; but Especially in Journalism
Hannah Ellinger - he979415@ohio.edu

The idea of inclusivity and diversity is promoted more heavily in today's society than ever before. In almost every career or job field, employers will attempt to hire the most diverse staff possible. This ethical practice is thought to increase productivity in the workplace and promote critical thinking for employees. But are there any real benefits of hiring a diverse group of people in your company?

The most obvious motivation behind attempting to hire a diverse staff is the ethical reasoning. It is simply the most ethical decision not to deny any person opportunities simply because of their ethnicity or background. Most companies and businesses in the 21st century have come to this realization and are working hard to be as fair and ethical as possible in their hiring practices. However, many minorities still struggle today with being considered "less qualified" for a position simply because they are from a different background.

In order to receive the most well-rounded and unbiased view of every story, it also becomes extremely important to hire a diverse group of journalists. Many people of different ethnicities and backgrounds may have certain insights or other important viewpoints to add to the story that would not otherwise be shared. Sharing the perspectives of a more diverse group of people will also allow the stories to reach and connect with more readers, as it states in this article. Readers are often more likely to engage with the story if they can relate to and connect with it in a personal way. Every journalist knows that the most important aspect of journalism is to connect with the highest number of readers.

Hiring a diverse staff of employees will not only bring different and unique perspectives into your company, but it will also encourage other employees to think outside the box and possibly see things differently than they had before. Having differing viewpoints in the workplace emphasizes a need for more critical thinking and analyzing. Incorporating a diverse group of people into your staff will likely improve the quality of the work that they produce and the relationships that your company has with its consumers.

Unfortunately, the promotion of diversity doesn't just end in the workplace. It is important that journalists work hard to fight against common stereotypes and "retrain their brains" when it comes to depicting minorities in articles and news stories. To quote another article from our readings, "We media types tend to cast blacks as the poster children for far too many of society's ills. Not because it's the truth, but because it fits the familiar trope and it's convenient to think inside the box." It is a journalists job, and the job of every person, to not stereotype minorities and to always think independently. In my opinion, altering the media's depiction of minorities is the first large step in decreasing their common negative stereotyping.

When it comes to diversity in any workplace, having as many new perspectives and fresh ideas is always best. Hiring a diverse group of people is the best way to ensure that your company is being ethical and promoting the best environment for it's employees.

(Image Source: WeAreBrain.com)