Diversity in Journalism: Where Is It?
Diversity in Broadcasting: Where is it? A recent minority census conducted by the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA), found that people of color hold just 21.8% of all jobs in English language TV newsrooms. This startling statistic prompts the question: Where is the diversity in today's newsrooms? Research shows that one of the key reasons for the lack of minority representation is the fact that minorities are not being hired at the small market level (Wang). Since 30% of all Americans are minorities, our newsrooms should reflect at least the same diversity. Sadly that is not the case. The truth of the matter is that lack of qualification is why minorities are not getting hired. Very rarely are journalists skilled enough to be hired into large market newsrooms directly out of college. Aspiring journalists must further hone their ability at the small market level. The problem is that minorities are not getting hired at this level, which makes it nearly impossible for them to attain jobs in larger market newsrooms. "The demand is higher than the supply for experienced, high potential minorities," said one general manager in a top 10 market. "In the smaller markets, station managers have to cultivate it.
As more and more minorities get hired, the more likely it is for them to advance into higher positions and subsequently gain ownership. Diversification should take place while minorities are still students, not just when they are applying for jobs. "But those are just a lot of excuses," says Richard Roth, associate dean of journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Universities should do a better job of recruiting minorities into journalism programs while they are at the college level. The fact of the matter is that more and more African-American journalists are leaving the journalism industry everyday, feeling unappreciated by the organizations that hire them. 4% of all station employees are minorities. There is no excuse for the lack of minority representation in daily newspapers. "It's not about having us in the newsroom. It is important for young children, especially those who aspire to be journalists, to see diversity in the newsroom. "Many of us aren't finding opportunities for advancement"(Elie). First of all, minorities, as well as White students, can choose many more financially lucrative careers than journalism. "The lack of minority representation in journalism is detrimental to the minority youth in the nation as well.
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