Progressive Activism Is Needed
By Felecia Jones Ross
CSM Chair

In my last column, I emphasized the need for increasing the presence of people of color at all levels of journalism education, as well as in the profession. Well not only has the situation not improved, it appears to have worsened.

The American Society of Newspaper Editors' 29th annual newsroom census reports that the percentage of journalists of color increased less than 0.5 percent from 2004 to 2005 raising the total percentage from 13.42 to 13.87. At this rate, responds the National Association of Black Journalists, it would take 40 years for the newsroom workforce to match the racial makeup of America.

This dismal progress may only get worse considering the current climate of the newspaper industry. Newspapers are facing pressures from shareholders to increase their profit margins. In response to these "bottom-line" pressures, newspapers have cut and/or bought out reporters, changed their content and cut programs. These endangered programs have served as a pipeline for journalists of color to the newsrooms.

One of those casualties was the Los Angeles Times' three-year Student Journalism Program which won the Minorities and Communication (MAC) division's  Robert Knight Multicultural Recruitment award at last year's convention in San Antonio. MAC had recognized this program for providing scholarships, grants and training to nearly 70 high school and college students. Furthermore, the editorial chair of the program, 35-year Times' veteran Frank Sotomayor accepted a buyout offer from the Times.

The sale of Knight Ridder papers has forced the company to suspend its Minority Scholars Program for high school students. Under the motto, "Diversity: No excuses." Knight Ridder provided thousands of dollars in scholarships and exposed students from historically black colleges and universities, as well as students of color from high schools and from other universities to journalism careers at all levels.

What does this mean for us? This means that we should add creativity to our progressive activism. We must take a broader perspective with respect to advocating our interests. The newspaper industry, and likely the news industry as a whole, is changing. So far, we already know how these changes are affecting people of color. We should certainly be a part of, better still, a leader in shaping a new model for presenting the news. As a start, I have contacted the principles involved in the Knight Ridder and Los Angeles Times’ diversity programs for the purpose of brainstorming ways to enhance diversity.

Because of the dynamics of the news industry, this will not be a "quick fix." Expect barriers. Expect delays. Expect frustration. Expect misinformation. But, it’s important that we begin the process.

I look forward to seeing you in San Francisco. I encourage your input. Please send me suggestions and comments at ross.256@osu.edu.

Progressive activism is needed!