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Contact: Allison M. Stevens
(703) 854-3590
astevens@unityjournalists.org

       
THE LOOP 21 & UNITY 'RACE & THE MEDIA'  SURVEY OF JOURNALISTS OF COLOR SHOWS 92% OF RESPONDENTS BELIEVE MAINSTREAM MEDIA IS NOT EFFECTIVELY COVERING RACE RELATIONS

Respondents show cautious optimism that "Obama Effect" will result in better coverage of racial issues in U.S. newsrooms

Washington, D.C. (2/19/09) - In a recent survey of journalists of color conducted by the leading African American website for economic and political news, The Loop 21, and UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc., most respondents were cautiously optimistic about the effect of the Obama administration on the media's coverage of racial issues.   Results of the survey were released today during a special "Race & the Media" panel discussion hosted and presented by the National Press Club's Eric Friedheim Library.  

The candid discussion, led by Ed Gordon, featured several of the nation's top journalists of color and pundits including freelance journalist Amy Alexander; Washington Post blogger Amar Bakshi; American University Assistant Professor Angie Chuang; USA TODAY reporter Matt Kelley; Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page; CNN political contributor, Leslie Sanchez; and Free Press' Director of Government Relations Joe Torres.

Although many survey respondents felt the coverage of the 2008 election opened doors for a fair and balanced discussion of race, an overwhelming 92% of those surveyed believed the mainstream media was still not effectively covering race relations in a multiracial society.  Of that majority, 45% attributed the cause to a lack of diversity in newsrooms and 33% attributed it to a lack of understanding by editors/producers.  The mass majority of respondents felt that using experts and analysts of color and the hiring of more people of color in management positions would positively affect the quality of reporting.

"The Loop 21 believes it is vital to understand how journalists of color feel racial issues were covered during the 2008 presidential campaign and how we can improve, and affect how issues of race can best be covered in the future," commented Darrell Williams, publisher of theloop21.com.  "As we strive to create a more equal society, especially in light of the historic election of Barack Obama, it is crucial to begin a dialogue on race relations, and examine how the media can cover issues in a way that addresses the needs of a growing and diverse American public."

The consensus among a majority of the respondents was that mainstream media did a "fair to poor" job covering issues of interest to people of color during the 2008 presidential campaign. Seventy eight percent of respondents believed that mainstream media's coverage of issues affecting Native Americans was "poor;" 68% ranked coverage of Asian Americans as "poor."  The coverage of issues affecting African Americans and Latinos was slightly higher rated, with 42% and 34% responding that it was "fair;" However, no group's coverage ranked "excellent" by more than 8% of respondents. Overall, a small majority (51%) of the respondents rated the mainstream media's job performance as "fair" when reporting issues affecting racial minorities in general.                                         

As the nation celebrated the historic election of President Obama, journalists of color shared mixed emotions regarding how the election will ultimately transform the coverage of race and gender in mainstream media.

While optimistic that Obama's election will enhance the coverage of racial and cultural issues (81%) in mainstream media, their enthusiasm is tempered by diminished expectations for their own career mobility. More than 60% of the respondents "strongly/somewhat disagree" that people of color and female journalists will be promoted to senior positions in the wake of the 2008 presidential campaign, demonstrating that historical practices of race and gender inequality remain entrenched.

"The respondents lack of confidence of mainstream media's knowledge of race relations highlights the need for more journalists of color in newsroom leadership positions," said UNITY President Rafael Olmeda.  "It is imperative that this survey serve as a wake up call to mainstream media - the status quo must change and parity must be reached in America's newsrooms."

The "Race & The Media" survey was commissioned by The Loop 21 for members of UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc. - a strategic alliance advocating fair and accurate news coverage about people of color - to evaluate the attitudes of journalists of color regarding their experiences in mainstream media during one of the most significant presidential campaigns in American history. 

Journalists were surveyed on a variety of topics, including the quality of coverage of issues affecting African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders and Native Americans during the 2008 Presidential campaign as well as their professional experiences in mainstream media, perception of opportunities for advancement in their news organizations and suggestions to improve and increase coverage of issues that are important to people of color.

For more survey results and a copy of the "Race & The Media" white paper go to
www.theloop21.com. More information from today's "Race & The Media" panel discussion is also available at theloop21.com, as well as www.npc.press.org and www.unityjournalists.org.

Additional Media Contacts:

Martine Charles
Elevation Sports & Entertainment for The Loop 21
206-295-9114
martine@teamelevation.com

Katrina Florence
Elevation Sports & Entertainment for The Loop 21
310-995-3619
katrina@teamelevation.com

Julie Schoo
National Press Club
202-662-7507
JSchoo@press.org

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About UNITY: Journalists of Color
UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc. is a strategic alliance advocating news coverage about people of color, and aggressively challenging its organizations at all levels to reflect the nation’s diversity. UNITY, representing more than 10,000 journalists of color, is comprised of four national associations: Asian American Journalists Association, National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the Native American Journalists Association.

In addition to planning the largest regular gathering of journalists in the nation, UNITY develops programs and institutional relationships that promote its mission. For more information on UNITY, visit www.unityjournalists.org, email info@unityjournalists.org or call (703) 854-3585.