Commentary
By POH SI TENG
500-word essay for the Fang Memorial Scholarship
May 2, 2005
Mass media is like a distorted mirror.
It does not truly reflect its subject fairly, but rather presents it in a disproportionate and unjust manner. Little, but significant details are not emphasized, as prominent features take center-stage and are fully accentuated. This analogy holds true 37 years after the Kerner commission’s 1968 report on the exclusion of blacks in newsrooms and reporting which led to riots raging across the United States. Presently, mainstream media continues to be exclusive, marginalizing various minority groups.
Till this day, television, radio and print journalism continues to report from a “white man’s world,” based on his perspective, core values, principles and ideals.
It is however, unfair to accuse white journalists for intentionally silencing or presenting minorities in a skewed manner. The truth of the matter is this – issues that are newsworthy to the “white man” is not necessarily pressing to women, blacks, Latinos, Asians and other minority groups.
The news media industry cannot afford to continuously highlight issues regarding the white community, while forcing stories of other ethnic groups to take a back-seat. Feelings of social, economic and political exclusion by minorities as a result of being under-represented in the media could set-off a whirlwind of distrust and misunderstanding. Failure to acknowledge this could lead to consequences far more disastrous than the 1960s’ riots.
Even though, according to The American Society of Newspaper Editors, the number of newspaper journalists who are minorities have increased to 13.4 percent, the industry’s ethnic representation rate is still not on par with the country’s demographics. Thirty two percent of U.S. citizens are minorities, many who are still under-reported or misrepresented because editors and reporters can’t gain excess to their communities.
Therefore non-profit journalism organizations like CIIJ, NABJ, AAJA, NAJA and NAHJ need to ensure that more people are educated on the importance of ethnic diversity in media. Their efforts in promoting this cause could encourage media industries to employ more colored journalists, and minorities to pursue journalism as a profession.
In addition, changes must also be made within the managing level of the industry. The top and bottom level of the newsroom hierarchy needs to be more diverse. With this, pertinent and crucial issues regarding colored people that have long been sidelined will finally be brought to light.
Lastly, mainstream press should pay more attention to ethnic media outlets. The fact that ethnic newspapers are thriving while mainstream newspapers are not faring as well, should be enough reason for journalists to reanalyze the subject of diversity, their target audience and how they can improve their coverage.
The media industry is full of imperfections, but this does not justify our lack of enthusiasm to improve it. We simply cannot afford conflicts and tensions to explode like they did in the 1960’s as a result of our negligence.
News media must be inclusive because it is a medium that promotes and facilitates civic engagement. As journalists, we must strive to achieve this feat because the fruits of our labor is a reflection of democracy.
