Covering race is not niche journalism. It’s journalism.
In the last few months SPJ Oregon board members have lent our voice to efforts aimed at transparency in government, the safety of journalists during the pandemic and the targeting of journalists by law enforcement as they work to cover protests around the state.
Our mission is to support journalists.
It would be irresponsible and disingenuous of us not to speak out now for Black journalists and journalists of color working to expand coverage of these communities beyond the reactionary approach some newsrooms adhere to in the name of business-as-usual.
George Floyd’s death and the movement it has sparked nationwide is absolutely worth covering. But the story doesn’t end there.
Too often, newsrooms around the state engage with the Black community and communities of color in times of trauma. They document the turbulence and move on.
That model ignores the truth: covering race is not niche journalism. It’s journalism.
In no other facet of journalism do we disregard fact because of reader interest or the discomfort it may bring our audiences.
It is uncomfortable. That doesn’t make it expendable.
We believe that there’s a way for an industry built on information, to stop hiding the truth: too many newsrooms scrambled over the last few weeks to find Black voices and sources for stories surrounding the protests because they don’t engage early and often with communities of color.
And when protests die down, so will newsroom interest in the racist policies baked into the institutions they cover.
Oregon newsrooms will still be predominately white. And journalists of color will continue to work under the ill-informed notion that their lived experience is compromising to their reporting.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
We know we too have work to do — both within SPJ and in our own newsrooms and coverage.
We’ve compiled a list of resources and tips on how to continue covering this important topic. It’s not our place to manage the culture or policy of any newsroom but we hope, for the sake of the industry, our audiences and our colleagues, things begin to change.
Donate money or time to organizations supporting Black journalists.
The Black Journalists’ Therapy Relief Fund
National Association of Black Journalists
Listen to Black journalists about their experiences in the industry. This Poynter article offers insight into how newsroom managers can help journalists of color, and this AP article explains what it’s like to be Black and a journalist at this moment.
Examine your newsroom policies and hiring practices. Think beyond hiring journalists of color to supporting and retaining them.
This recent IRE webinar and tipsheet are good starting points. This article explains racial bias in salary negotiations well.
Examine newsroom policy that would forbid Black journalists and journalists of color from speaking out in support of equity efforts or attending peaceful protests that are not tied to a specific political effort. Understand that social media policies or other efforts to counter perceived bias are often disproportionately enforced against journalists of color.
Assess the journalism industry. Participate in the American Society of News Editors’ diversity survey. Commit to the same transparency we expect from organizations we cover.
Examine your own coverage and framing. Words — and their accuracy — matter. “Black” and “person of color” are not synonymous. “Protesting” and “rioting” are not interchangeable.
Regularly reach out to people of color as sources — not only for coverage about race and injustice. Do you make time to get to know the diverse communities you serve? Meet community leaders for coffee. Make time for informal conversations, and find spaces where communities gather instead of expecting people to come to you.
Finally, research police use of force and how policing disproportionately impacts communities of color. Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE) offers free resources to investigate police abuses and misconduct.