Spring Break
Community forum: racism in media
Reid Parham
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Forum
Courses in the new media communications department discuss American newsroom demographics that, at one count, have been 98 percent white.
Showing problems both within media interview processes and public institutions themselves, white males frequently are interview sources.
With each of these five cases, the forum clearly saw the differences between the cultural values assigned to races in media.
When it comes to solutions for racism, however, the forum was less conclusive; while public awareness of the problem creates opportunity for change, the media profession itself must act to change.
Furthermore, as pointed out by Shannon Warren, senior in ethnic studies, racism exists within every individual. People must understand the history of this problem, and apologize.
The best path for change, according to Larry Roper, Ph.D., Vice Provost for student affairs, is approaching this issue from a respectful, emotionally aware and mutually dependent understanding between all races. Roper also insists on the importance of providing effective time and places for reflection, recalling the findings of his doctoral studies.
Just as the problem is complicated, solutions within media have their barriers - the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics is voluntary and unenforced. SPJ, as we have stated before, "encourage(s) fellow journalists and the public to hold news reports and commentary up to ethical scrutiny."
While the best journalists will uphold standards to seek truth, minimize harm, act independently and to be accountable, the SPJ acknowledges these all are "a balancing act" without rules on a slippery-slope.
As we attempt to bring truth and equality to cultural values, definitions of truth, harm, independence and accountability will change as well.
Solutions to the first case require clear, authoritative documentation of news coverage by race. Many advocacy groups exist to critique media, but the institution itself must join the cause.
Showing problems both within media interview processes and public institutions themselves, white males frequently are interview sources.
With each of these five cases, the forum clearly saw the differences between the cultural values assigned to races in media.
When it comes to solutions for racism, however, the forum was less conclusive; while public awareness of the problem creates opportunity for change, the media profession itself must act to change.
Furthermore, as pointed out by Shannon Warren, senior in ethnic studies, racism exists within every individual. People must understand the history of this problem, and apologize.
The best path for change, according to Larry Roper, Ph.D., Vice Provost for student affairs, is approaching this issue from a respectful, emotionally aware and mutually dependent understanding between all races. Roper also insists on the importance of providing effective time and places for reflection, recalling the findings of his doctoral studies.
Just as the problem is complicated, solutions within media have their barriers - the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics is voluntary and unenforced. SPJ, as we have stated before, "encourage(s) fellow journalists and the public to hold news reports and commentary up to ethical scrutiny."
While the best journalists will uphold standards to seek truth, minimize harm, act independently and to be accountable, the SPJ acknowledges these all are "a balancing act" without rules on a slippery-slope.
As we attempt to bring truth and equality to cultural values, definitions of truth, harm, independence and accountability will change as well.
Solutions to the first case require clear, authoritative documentation of news coverage by race. Many advocacy groups exist to critique media, but the institution itself must join the cause.
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