Throughout journalism/media history, there have been many cases where diversity is a leading factor in the conflict, event, or ethical dilemma presented. More specifically, sometimes in journalism the issue of race in reporting can become an issue for the audience, and the subject. After the NYPD’s murder of Eric Garner, racial tensions were obviously high. The ensuing events sparked a conversation which holds relevance in the broader scope of diversity in journalism itself and its perception across its audience.
After the tragic death of Eric Garner, his daughter Erica requested to only be approached for interviews from black reporters. One can assume this is due to the racial bias at hand regarding white police brutality on minorities. In an article by Isaac Bailey, he goes on explain how based on this request, it became evident how most people “unwittingly look at journalism through a white-lens” describing the bias behind viewer’s perspective on the information they receive. This describes a bigger picture in media, showing that the force in media is predominately white and stories may gain publicity as such. Bailey goes on to explain “Journalists of color often feel conflicted about race-related stories because of the newsroom environment they must navigate..” Bailey then sets the precedent that the overall feel in newsrooms is that stories of politics and other things hold more bearing than racial topics. This ties back to the Erica Garner request due to the overwhelming feel of a white presence in the media’s values, especially after the murder of her father at the hands of a white police officer. Overall, this raises the ethical question of fairness in the media and bias in reporting/values.
In a separate article by Eric Deggans, he goes on to further explain the media/journalism portrayal of racism “that polarizes audiences. Audiences are conditioned to see race as a hot-button topic only worthy of the most blockbuster stories..” This is in reference to the seemingly only breaking news reports on racism when there is a death or big headline. Articles like these and alike all tie back in to the above Eric Garner situation, where family may not be fully trusting of white journalism on a topic which is seemingly impossible for them to relate to. Also, in the months following the death of Garner, a white journalist was ironically the author of a book about the situation. Self quoted, he says “ The reactions I got… ranged from anger/outrage over it as an act of cultural appropriation…” This shows exactly how negative journalism in this context is received, and it may be justly so.
Overall, the lessons I learned were very important. This is due to the overwhelming need for common sense that white journalism may be biased in its production, overall tone, or intent. While this is possible, it may at the same time anger minorities who face hardships due to the inability for white people to relate. As well as the fact that most racist events happen at the hands of a white person.
Sources:
Bailey, I. (2018). “WE HAVEN’T FULLY GRAPPLED WITH HOW MUCH WE UNWITTINGLY JUDGE JOURNALISM THROUGH A WHITE LENS”: Newsrooms need to examine biases and decisions about which journalists cover stories about race. 72(1).
Deggans, E. (2015). STOP SEGREGATING STORIES. 69(2).