In the 25-plus years of effort spent on diversifying newsrooms and content, inspired and dedicated leaders have kept the torch lit.
Journalists of color, their organizations, foundations, individual newsrooms, and news companies remain steadfast behind the ultimate goal: journalism that reflects the growing diversity of communities across the country. And, year by year, the band of believers grows while the percentage gains in newsrooms –- the main measurement of progress –- slowly inches along.
No one is satisfied with progress to date. Yet neither are the believers bending. Take Juan Gonzalez, president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and a columnist for the New York Daily News. He is driving a new NAHJ initiative, The Parity Project, that bears watching. His vision and leadership of the project reflect the resilience associated with the long trek to parity in newsrooms.
Why another new project?
It’s important to re-invent our efforts, to keep looking for bold ideas that spur greater momentum. This NAHJ effort is bold.
What makes The Parity Project different?
- The project pulls all the players into the fold -– the newsroom, the community, the journalists, potential journalists, and the catalyst, in this case NAHJ.
- It goes to the locales that need and want help, in contrast to programs that help journalists and leaders as part of national efforts. NAHJ identifies communities with rapidly growing Hispanic populations and local newspapers that have low percentages of Hispanic journalists.
- It creates partnerships among NAHJ, a newspaper company, and the community for long-term gains.
A year ago, at a Diversity Summit, Gonzalez outlined his ideas about identifying newspapers and communities for close-up attention. An eager corporate leader was listening: Mike Phillips, editorial development director for the E.W. Scripps Company Newspaper Division. Phillips and Gonzalez reached a speedy agreement to model the five-year project at several Scripps papers.
The Rocky Mountain News and the Ventura County Star were among the half-dozen Scripps papers that began working with NAHJ in 2003. Several others are involved this year.
How does the project unfold at these papers?
- The newsroom and community are surveyed for their perspectives on coverage.
- A public forum brings together the newsroom and the Hispanic community.
- High school and college journalism students are included.
- NAHJ conducts cultural awareness sessions in the newsroom.
- A community advisory panel is formed for ongoing review of coverage.
Early experience in Denver and Ventura County is impressive. The percentages of minority journalists have increased from 8.5 percent to 11.6 percent at the Rocky Mountain News and from 11.8 percent to 17.2 percent in Ventura County.
How could they make progress so swiftly?
The project probably needs some time and further experience to answer that question explicitly. There is, however, a lift in newsroom credibility when talk moves to action. Job candidates pay attention to who’s working hard on diversity. Current staff may be more inclined to stay when they see progress.
Tim Gallagher, editor of the Ventura County Star, is quoted in NAHJ materials about the value he sees in the partnership: “This is not just another flavor-of-the-month program designed to increase hiring of Latinos in newsrooms. At its core, The Parity Project aims to help us do better journalism. And that’s what we’re in the business of doing.”
Gallagher’s point is well taken. It’s spring and the annual census of newsroom diversity is now published. Another half-percentage point gain in newsroom diversity is recorded. That’s the measurement that so often dominates the discussion and wilts the spirit.
Gonzalez’s spirit and The Parity Project will help believers and other leaders carry the torch even further, though. The Project’s genius is in its integration of commitment to community, to accurate and relevant journalism, and to diversity of voices in and outside the newsroom.
You can read more about the project on the NAHJ website. Mike Phillips also recounts insights so far, in an article headlined: “Consider Becoming a Parity Project Partner If You’re Discouraged by Your Diversity Efforts.”
