Blog
Almost 50 years ago, the news industry was called out on race. How should that be commemorated?
- By: ASNE staff
- On: 04/06/2017 09:59:45
- In: Committee work
It will be 50 years next March since the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, known as the Kerner Commission, shook the news media with its declaration that "the journalistic profession has been shockingly backward in seeking out, hiring, training, and promoting Negroes."
The Kerner Commission report also said, "News organizations must employ enough Negroes in positions of significant responsibility to establish an effective link to Negro actions and ideas and to meet legitimate employment expectations."
The report led to training programs for journalists of color and increased hiring. In 1978, ASNE set a goal of achieving parity in newsrooms with the percentage of people of color in the general population by 2000. Twenty years later, the goal was changed to 2025. The 2000 goal was not met, but "diversity" is now part of industry language, and outreach efforts continue. Ethnic diversity now also includes Hispanics, Asian Americans and Native Americans.
The report led to training programs for journalists of color and increased hiring. In 1978, ASNE set a goal of achieving parity in newsrooms with the percentage of people of color in the general population by 2000. Twenty years later, the goal was changed to 2025. The 2000 goal was not met, but "diversity" is now part of industry language, and outreach efforts continue. Ethnic diversity now also includes Hispanics, Asian Americans and Native Americans.
How should the news industry commemorate this 50-year milestone?
Richard Prince, author of "Journal-isms" and a member of ASNE's Diversity Committee, is submitting ideas to the organization and would like to include those from readers.
Please send to journal-isms-owner@
A brief summary of Chapter 15 is here (go to Chapter 15).