Maynard Institute archives

Journal-isms 3/21

by richard0571

Unity Concept Stemmed from “Threat to Our Independence”


In U.S., Japan Catastrophe Boosts Support for Drilling


Cheryl Jackson Among 4 Laid Off at Chicago Sun-Times


Amanda Barrett Named NYC News Editor at AP


Indy Star’s Tech Columnist Starts Metro Column


Obama Grants Interview to CNN en Español


Relevance of Race Raised in Reporting Girl’s Gang Rape


Juan Williams Calls for Defunding NPR


Jalen Rose Says His Comments Were Taken Out of Context


Unity Concept Stemmed from “Threat to Our Independence”


David Lawrence Jr., left, and DeWayne WickhamThe conventional history of the Unity alliance, as outlined in “Building Unity,” (PDF) a booklet prepared for the 2008 Unity convention, has this starting point: “1986. UNITY’s unofficial beginnings starts with the meeting of Juan González, an active member of the NAHJ, and Will Sutton Jr., an active member of NABJ, as they started comparing notes about their experiences as journalists of color. From there they contacted AAJA President Mei-Mei Chan, to join in the project.” The acronyms are for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists and the Asian American Journalists Association.


It goes on to note a second milestone: “1988. First joint meeting of boards of the NABJ, NAHJ, AAJA and NAJA takes place in Baltimore, MD.”


But DeWayne Wickham, the USA Today columnist who was NABJ president in 1988, says the 1988 decision to hold the first joint convention of the four groups had a different genesis: An attempt to counteract an attempt by the newspaper industry to bring the groups together itself.


The Unity alliance is the subject of discussion in journalism circles because NABJ, the largest of the four associations, is asserting that Unity has grown beyond its original mission and shortchanged NABJ in the process. It has submitted several proposals to reorder the way the proceeds are divided, but it was outvoted at a meeting last weekend, with none of the other partners supporting NABJ.


NABJ is holding an electronic “town hall” meeting for members only from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday. Scheduled to participate are NABJ President Kathy Times, Treasurer Gregory Lee and Executive Director Maurice Foster. NABJ members may register here.


Here is Wickham’s account of how the first Unity convention held in 1994, originated. The convention preceded the formation of the Unity: Journalist of Color organization:


“I convened the joint board meeting of the four national minority journalism groups in Baltimore for a specific purpose. It didn’t happen by chance, and wasn’t as some seem to think, the offspring of the joint meeting of the local chapters of NABJ and NAHJ in Philadelphia two years earlier. To suggest that is to miss the really important historical significance of the Baltimore meeting.


“As NABJ president, I invited NAHJ, NAJA, AAJA to bring their boards to my hometown to discuss how we might address a serious threat to our independence. At the time, I believed it was a necessary response to the efforts of David Lawrence and other industry leaders to push us into a joint relationship of their design.


“The Baltimore meeting was the outgrowth of a meeting I had with Lawrence, the Detroit Free Press editor/publisher, who at the time headed a major industry group that was trying to address the issue of minority employment in the media. This one-on-one meeting took place in a small conference room in Gannett’s old headquarters in Rosslyn, Va., shortly after I was elected NABJ president in 1987. It was a brief, and very tense conversation. He was upset with me because I’d refused to attend a meeting he was holding (and from which he had broken away to meet with me) with leaders of the other minority journalism groups at the American Press Institute.


“Carl Morris (the then NABJ executive director) told me the agenda of that meeting included a discussion of a proposal to jointly locate the national offices of the four groups at one site; and called for us to make a combined appeal for funding support from media organizations.


“I decided not to go.


“I didn’t want others to be allowed to take the lead in defining what NABJ’s relationship would be with NAHJ, AAJA and NAJA. So instead of attending David’s meeting I invited those groups to meet with NABJ in Baltimore to define for ourselves what our relationship would be. That, in short, is what moved me to convene the joint board meeting in the spring of 1988. Out of that meeting came an agreement to co-locate our conventions at the same site every four years — and the decision to hold the first joint convention in Atlanta in 1994.”


David Lawrence Jr. retired in 1999 as publisher of The Miami Herald to work in the area of early childhood development and readiness. He is president of The Early Childhood Initiative Foundation and “University Scholar for Early Childhood Development and Readiness” at the University of Florida. He was a leading industry figure as an editor and publisher at Knight Ridder newspapers, and in the 1980s, chaired the Task Force on Minorities in the Newspaper Business.


He told Journal-isms on Sunday that he recalled chairing that group for two terms, but added, “I simply do not recall what you are being told. Could have happened, but just do not remember.”


Sidmel Estes-Sumpter, who was present at the 1988 meeting, later became NABJ president, and helped create the first Unity convention in her town of Atlanta, said to Journal-isms of the 1986 and 1988 meetings, “I think some seeds of Unity were planted with Will and Juan. But it didn’t really take shape until the joint board meeting in Baltimore. I think they were both essential to the creation of Unity.”


However, she added, “I have always maintained that I distinctly remember that when we created Unity, it was supposed to be only a coordinating unit, not a fifth organization. And we were going to try one convention and see how it went and then consider a follow up convention. And that’s it. Unity was never supposed to live forever.”


In a message issued on March 2, the Unity organization said, “It is not productive to disavow what UNITY has become. That denies the natural growth and development of organizations, as well as people. Since the inception of UNITY, the way we do business as an industry has changed dramatically and so has the need for a viable organization that is a voice for all journalists of color and all communities of color.”


?


Southern California is home to the largest concentration of Japanese Americans and a hub for Japanese businesses with international ambitions, according to Southern California Public Radio. “This week, the eyes of Japanese Americans and expatriates have been fixed across the Pacific. Tony Tuskui is one of tens of thousands trying to seek comfort any way he can.” (Video) (Credit: KPCC)


In U.S., Japan Catastrophe Boosts Support for Drilling


“Not surprisingly, public support for the increased use of nuclear power has declined amid the ongoing nuclear emergency in Japan,” the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press reported on Monday.


“Currently, 39% say they favor promoting the increased use of nuclear power while 52% are opposed. Last October, 47% favored promoting the increased use of nuclear power and the same percentage (47%) was opposed.


“Opinion about expanding the use of nuclear power has fluctuated in recent years. However, the current measure matches a previous low in support for increased nuclear power recorded in September 2005 (39% favor, 53% oppose).”


“. . . Currently, 57% say they favor allowing more offshore oil and gas drilling in U.S. waters while 37% are opposed. Last June amid the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, there was more opposition (52%) than support (44%) for allowing more offshore drilling.”



Cheryl Jackson Among 4 Laid Off at Chicago Sun-Times


Cheryl V. Jackson, a general assignment reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times, was among at least four full-time staffers whose positions were cut in the latest round of layoffs, the Sun-Times confirmed on Monday.


Jackson, who has been a business reporter and film critic at the paper, is a member of NABJ-Chicago, the Chicago chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.


Others laid off included columnist Lewis Lazare, an 11-year veteran of the Sun-Times, features reporter Misha Davenport, who doubled as co-chair of the Sun-Times’ bargaining unit of the Chicago Newspaper Guild, and Steve Tucker, assistant sports editor and prep sports writer, according to veteran Chicago columnist Bob Feder, writing Friday on his blog.


Jackson could not be reached. Among her recent stories was a report on a forum during the Chicago mayoral campaign in which Carol Moseley Braun called an opponent a former crack addict. Braun lost the election to Raum Emmanuel.


She wrote last year of Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married Too,” “There’s something oddly comforting about the familiarity of a Perry flick, even with his frequent stereotypes of black women as either emotionally distant and career-focused or meek and abused or loud and emasculating….The movie could have been shortened by about 15 minutes.”


Amanda Barrett Named NYC News Editor at AP


“Amanda Barrett, an editor with wide Amanda Barrett experience leading and coordinating coverage across formats while working at The Associated Press and newspapers, has been named New York City news editor.’ the AP announced on Monday.


She is believed to be the first black journalist in the position.


“Barrett has served as acting East Editor since February,” helping to lead AP’s regional desk in Philadelphia, editing content from 10 states. ” . . . Barrett joined the AP in 2007 as the content coordinator for Multimedia, which combined with Graphics in January 2008. She helped manage a team of artists, interactive designers, researchers and coordinators,” the story said.


“Before coming to AP, Barrett served as the editor of amNY.com, the website for amNewYork, Newsday’s free daily paper in New York City. Barrett was previously editor of NYNewsday.com.”


Indy Star’s Tech Columnist Starts Metro Column


Erika D. Smith, a reporter and tech columnist for the Indianapolis Star since 2005, debuted Sunday as the Star’s new metro columnist.


Erika SmithIn her opening column, “How can we make Indy the best it can be?” Smith noted, “There are deep divisions here — among whites, blacks and Hispanics; among the rich, middle class and poor; between native Hoosiers and transplants from other states; between young and old; between immigrants and those who were born in America; and between straight and gay people.


“We have serious problems in our neighborhoods. Crumbling infrastructure, crime and poverty, all of which make a disastrous environment in trying to create good schools.


“And no matter how diverse we’ve become in numbers, we’re still a very segregated city that can be, at times, close-minded and judgmental.”


“. . . As a columnist, my goal will be to pose questions, not impose answers. I will tell the story of our community through the stories of the people who live here.”


Obama Grants Interview to CNN en Español


President Obama talks with CNN en Español’s Juan Carlos Lopez from El Salvador during his Latin America Tour “in his only interview with a pan regional Spanish language network during this tour,” the network announced Monday. The interview airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. Eastern time.


“In his second sit-down with Lopez since becoming President, Obama will talk about his visits to Brazil, Chile and El Salvador just days after the start of joint military strikes against Libya. They will discuss his purpose of forging new alliances across the Americas; immigration reform; and the controversy surrounding State Rep. Virgil Peck following the Kansas lawmaker’s comments about illegal immigrants; among many other important topics.”




Mallary Jean Tenore asks,”Why wasn’t race mentioned in the initial reports, and at what point did it become relevant?” (Credit: CNN)


Relevance of Race Raised in Reporting Girl’s Gang Rape


“When initial reports about a gang rape in Cleveland, Texas, became public earlier this month, there was hardly any mention of the victim’s or suspects’ race — mainly because reporters covering the story didn’t think it was relevant. Throughout the last two weeks, however, race has become an increasingly important part of the coverage,” Mallary Jean Tenore wrote Monday for the Poynter Institute.


“Most news organizations have now reported that the 11-year-old victim is Hispanic, many of the 18 suspects charged are black, and racial tensions are stirring as a result of the rape.


“The inclusion of race has, in some ways, raised more questions than it’s answered. Why wasn’t race mentioned in the initial reports, and at what point did it become relevant? Is there a history of racial tension between blacks and Hispanics in Cleveland, or does the tension have more to do with people believing the suspects were wrongly targeted because they’re black? Was race a motive in the crime?


“. . . To figure out whether race is relevant,” the Poynter Institute’s Kelly McBride “suggested that journalists ask themselves some tough questions:



  • “What’s the relevance of race? How do I know that?


  • “Am I making that assertion myself, or do I have authoritative sources to make that assertion?


  • “If race is relevant simply because “the community” or “commenters” were talking about it, is it a few people, or is the conversation widespread?


  • “If I’m going to introduce race as an element in a rape story, how can I make sure the views of the primary stakeholders are accurate and accurately represented?”


There were also discussions by these columnists of race, some touching on the news media:



Juan Williams Calls for Defunding NPR


“Even after they fired me, called me a bigot and publicly advised me to only share my thoughts with a psychiatrist, I did not call for defunding NPR. I am a journalist, and NPR is an important platform for journalism,” Juan Williams wrote Monday for the Capitol Hill newspaper the Hill.


“But last week my line of defense for NPR ran into harsh political realities. Rep. Steve Israel (D- N.Y.) chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee sent out a fundraising letter with the following argument for maintaining public funding of NPR:


“ ‘They [Republicans] know NPR plays a vital role in providing quality news programming — from rural radio stations to in-depth coverage of foreign affairs. If the Republicans had their way, we’d only be left with the likes of Glenn Beck, Limbaugh and Sarah Palin to dominate the airwaves.’


“With that statement, Congressman Israel made the case better than any Republican critic that NPR is radio by and for liberal Democrats.. . .”



The crossfire between Grant Hill, left, and Jalen Rose reflects the uncomfortable discussion involving race, columnist George Diaz said. (Credit: Orlando Sentinel)


Jalen Rose Says His Comments Were Taken Out of Context


“ESPN NBA analyst Jalen Rose formally responded to Grant Hill on The Wall Street Journal‘s Daily Fix blog, dragging out a conversation that’s been going on for way too long now about Uncle Toms,” Marcus Vanderberg wrote Sunday for Sportsnewser.


“ ‘Addressing the elephant in the room, comments from the documentary regarding Duke University were completely taken out of context. I respect the success of Duke’s program and stated this was my opinion as a teenager growing up in the inner city of Detroit. I also acknowledged that Grant Hill had something I wanted growing up — a successful family. It’s a bit disappointing some people insinuated I think black people from successful families are Uncle Toms. What made the documentary must-see TV is the fact we showed brutal honesty and addressed every topic head on and without reservation. At the end of the day, some people will have their own opinions about the Fab Five and who we are as people. I am proud of what we achieved together from 1991-1993 and even more proud of the men we have become and how we all work in the community. . . .”


Vanderberg ended with a plea to “Let it go, guys,” but whether the columnists can give up such good material is another matter.


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