Beyond the Appearance
By Ellen Pham
There is a diversity crisis in journalism. While America is famous for being a “melting pot”, divides continue to exist in the field of journalism.
How can society advance if it is restricted by a media dominated by journalists with the same ideas? It can’t.
A media without diversity stifles the voices of everyone, only promoting the interests of a select group. If there’s one thing journalism shouldn’t be is controlling.
A 2012 report from the American Society of News Editors (ASNE) shows that the percentage of minorities in newsrooms is 12.32 percent. The report goes on to say that overall newsroom employment has dropped 2.4 percent, from 41,600 to 40,600. But among minorities, the decrease has been more than twice as large: 5.7 percent, from 5,300 to 5,000. During that time, nearly one out of three newsroom job cuts have affected minorities.
I’ve always believed journalism to be an irreplaceable catalyst for revolutionizing reform. However, without a diverse media, any change that occurs would only be for one-sided benefit.
Journalists have a responsibility to provide accurate news. By increasing diversity in the newsroom, we ensure that the news is also fair.
While I am proud to be a female Asian American journalist, I realize that there are few role models in the industry for me to look up to. Sadly, other minorities face similar challenges. Nonetheless, this does not discourage me nor should it dismay other aspiring journalists.
In fact, the lack of diversity inspires me even more to become a successful journalist. I want to be an inspiration for anyone who has ever faced obstacles in journalism because of their background.
Many people believe diversity is defined simply by the color of one’s skin. But diversity is so much more than that. It includes sexual orientation, gender or even religious affiliation. Understanding that diversity is so much more is the first step to solving the diversity crisis in journalism.