Leadership & Teambuilding Diversity Leadership & Teambuilding

Why diversity is important “We want to accurately reflect life in our communities. If our publications are not inclusive enough to regularly portray the diversity of those communities, then we are presenting a fundamentally inaccurate report. That lack of accuracy undermines our journalistic credibility.” —American Society of Newspaper Editors

Tips for reporting on diversity Mention race, national origin, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation only when relevant. Key to understanding of the story. Helps identify at-large suspects. If status is important, don’t assume that readers will pick up on clues. Don’t just report minorities’ statuses.

Appropriate or not? “Six males were detained for questioning by the LAPD Sunday night after Public Safety received a call reporting a burglary in one of the residence halls on campus... “The six suspects, who were all African- American, were arrested in the parking lot between Huesman and Rosecrans, but Public Safety and LAPD officers were unable to confirm where the attempted burglary took place.”

Appropriate or not? “D’Aguiar said the date of Danticat’s reading was meaningful. ‘We thought we’d try to find the person who would bridge black history month with women’s history month to bring the two concepts together in one body,’ D’Aguiar said.”

Reporting on diversity Make connections to increase minority representation in your publication. Read and watch publications aimed toward diverse groups. Contact race-relations specialists and diversity groups. Ask everyone you meet for lists of community leaders. Create a list of people who can offer diverse perspectives. Visit ethnic communities, eat at ethnic restaurants, shop at ethnic stores. Meet the owners.

Barriers to minority participation Failure to reach out and invite minority students to participate Perceptions by minority students that those media are elitist and cliquish Creation of racist image by student media Consequent pressure from minority peers against participation Conflicts created by time demands

Images and realities Provide visibility by making facilities more open to outsiders Train staff members in recruiting Ask advisers to recommend good writers Conduct open houses regularly

Changing perceptions Explain to all staff members what barriers exist Talk frankly and frequently about problems students are having Encourage participation in minority membership groups