3 Reasons Why It's Important To Have Diversity Within Newsrooms

Brianna Smith

 

bs214517@ohio.edu

 

In 2020, it should be apparent how important diversity and inclusion needs to be in the work place. However, most places are still run by primarily white heterosexual men, including newsrooms. This has always been baffling to me because a diverse within newsroom will bring more success and I am here to tell you how

Representation

In 2020, I should not have to explain why representation matters, however, I will. Representation crafts how minorities are viewed by others. Therefore, without minorities in newsrooms, there is nobody to speak on their behalf. For example, if you had to write a report on people who are missing their hand but you personally have your hand . . . it would prove to be difficult to truly grasp what those people go through daily. 

 

 

Of course, you can research it but no source is better than a primary one. Would it not be easier to have someone who is personally missing their hand write the report than you. It's as simple as that. A white person can't advocate for black people in a newsroom as well as a black person could advocate for black people.

Missing Details 

Playing off my last point, people easily miss details on things they are not familiar with. The Guardian Post spoke on this a bit as well. They said "people who live in a rough neighborhood and are confronted with a demand for money are forced to make calculations that people in safer, more affluent areas rarely think about"(The Guardian Post).

I liked this quote from their post because I think it highlights how easy it is to miss details when you are not apart of the in-group.

Creativity

Having a diverse staff means you have more people from different backgrounds. This will give any job more creativity because everyone thinks differently due to their diverse realities.

Diversity within newsrooms are fully necessary in order for the companies success. Not only will the stories be the best when told for the point of view of the in-group, it's also good for young minorities to know that someone is looking out for how their race is being viewed.