NABJ's Presidential Candidates Aim for Different Goals
by Valerie Henderson
The Unity News

NABJ's presidential candidates, Robin Stone and Will Sutton, agree that the organization should support black journalists, encourage positive changes in journalism and be an advocate for the people.

But that's about the only similarities they have, based on their platforms.

Stone wants to see a free-standing organization, more positive portrayal of blacks in the media and more racially diverse newsrooms.

Sutton wants to focus on improving the organization's Web site, getting journalism interns into smaller news markets and increasing networking opportunities for black journalists.

Stone would also like to see the National Association of Black Journalists tap into private organizations' coffers for more funding.

"We can accept thousands of dollars from (media companies), but we must be a free-standing organization in order to reach our full potential," said Stone, the organization's vice president of print and deputy editor of Essence Magazine.

For several years, NABJ has been stressing the need to diversify newsrooms, and many large news organizations are already addressing the problem, Sutton said.

He, however, does not think many smaller news organizations recognize the need to hire black journalists and would like to address that issue.

Sutton, deputy managing editor of The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., hopes to address the problem using modern technology. He wants to upgrade the organization's Web site to include an upgraded pool of job applicants. News agencies, in particular smaller operations, could also post job openings on the site, he said.

"I'd like our young interns and journalists to have a chance in the news market, which is why I push for the hiring of our black journalists in the medium and smaller newsrooms," Sutton said. "I'd like to connect the black journalist with an employer in real time, because who likes to view old information? Certainly not the employer."

Both candidates for vice president of print favor supporting the organization's younger members through recruitment, hiring and training.

Rochelle Riley wants to upgrade the NABJ Web site. An associate editor with the Louisville Courier-Journal, she wants to increase business partnerships with radio, newspapers and magazines. Riley, who said she has been mentoring and training high school and college students since 1988, also advocates the need for recruiting young journalists.

Herb Lowe's campaign slogan, "Aim High," seeks to promote a "more hip" NABJ.

Lowe, who currently serves as the organization's secretary and is a reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, was on the team that redesigned the NABJ Journal. He also is a strong supporter of the New Media Institute. Like Riley, Lowe also seeks to upgrade the NABJ Web site and would like to see more minorities in the newsroom.

The election will be Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Room 607 at the Convention Center.