Diversity Toolbox
How to Get Help
By Catalina Camia
Some people in the news industry know the ethnic and other media associations
only as groups fighting to change employment practices. But the companion mission
of these organizations making sure that stories about race, ethnicity,
women, and sexual orientation are inclusive and free of stereotypes is
just as important. For journalists who want to get the story right, the organizations
devoted to fair coverage of diverse populations are a good place to start.
These groups and their members dont profess to speak for their communities.
They can, however, be a source for journalists who want to better understand
the complexities of a diverse society. Do you get confused by the different
holidays celebrated by Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong? Ask the Asian American
Journalists Association. Is it correct to say American Indian? Ask the Native
American Journalists Association.
Journalist associations
Asian American Journalists
Association
Black Broadcasters
Alliance
California Chicano
News Media Association
Journalism and Women
Symposium
National Association
of Black Journalists
National Association
of Hispanic Journalists
National Lesbian and
Gay Journalists Association
National Association
of Minorities in Communications
National Association
of Minority Media Executives
National Federation
of Press Women
Native American Journalists
Association
South Asian Journalists
Association
UNITY:
Journalists of Color
SPJ Diversity
Committee
Several of the groups listed here have published coverage handbooks. Some have worked with advocacy organizations, community leaders and others to better understand how media coverage can inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes and misperceptions. You can make a difference by asking these associations for help.
Catalina Camia is a diversity fellow at the Freedom Forum. She is a former president of the Asian American Journalists Association and of UNITY: Journalists of Color.