It seems everyone in journalism is talking about the importance of diversity in the newsroom. What’s missing in the conversation are the specific safety risks journalists of color face; they are more frequently and personally targeted than their non-Hispanic white colleagues. The lack of representation in newsrooms has consequences on how management handles safety preparedness and psychosocial care after journalists are exposed to race-related trauma. This panel seeks to explore how action can be taken now to increase diversity in the newsroom while also addressing these issues of safety and self-care for journalists of color.
Ron Smith, Marquette University Journalism professor and editor of Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, will lead this discussion.
This session is designed for practicing journalists, newsroom managers & editors, student journalists, academics teaching journalism and/or communications, press freedom advocates:
- looking to deepen their understanding of safety issues journalists of color face and what solutions exist to address them.
- who have experienced safety issues linked to a lack of diversity in newsrooms who want to discuss and share suggestions for how to address them.
Speakers
Ron Smith
Editor/Project Director, Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
@ronshine • Visit Website
Michelle Ye Hee Lee
National political accountability reporter, The Washington Post
myhlee • Visit Website
Lu Ortiz
Executive Director, Vita-Activa.Org
@LuOrtiz • Visit Website
Kathleen McElroy
Director, School of Journalism and Media, University of Texas at Austin
kathleeno
Thomas Durkin
Education Program Director, James W. Foley Legacy Foundation
tdurkin6
Margaux Ewen
Executive Director, James W. Foley Legacy Foundation
@margauxewen