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Spring 2006 www.aejmc-mcs.org PF&R Convergence and Commodifying Katie Head Note So Katie Couric is headed to sighted. Few have mentioned My fi rst the Big Chair as sole anchor and how this one person moving to column of managing editor on the CBS one network marks a sea change the aca- Evening News. Wall-to-wall for the branding and delivery demic year was “ripped coverage of her early-April an- of news product in the United from the nouncement made sure Couric’s States, and that gender is only headlines,” continuing rising star eclipsed the most obvious aspect. focusing even news about Iraq. In her It seems that Americans are on charges Tim Bajkiewicz, typical understated way she the only ones who care, or at of racism Jennifer Greer, South Florida, called her move “the worst-kept least American media. In re- and class Nevada, Reno, PF&R Chair secret in America.” By Septem- sponse to Couric’s move, Rich- discrimina- Division Head ber even Tibetan monks won’t ard Sambrook, chief executive tion in media coverage of the victims of be able to dodge the ad infi ni- of BBC World, told The New Hurricane Katrina. Now, tum, 15-year, fashion-fl ashback York Times, “I would put news- eight months later, racial retrospectives on NBC’s “To- gathering and coverage ahead of and class divides again are day” show, nor continuing witty talent.” That seems to hold true the focus of news coverage commentary, like Mike Peters’ in international press coverage. – this time in North Carolina. editorial cartoon showing the I searched the 20 international On May 15, a third Duke classic CBS Eye logo with curvy papers on Lexis-Nexis with University lacrosse player was indicted on charges of lashes. the separate terms “Couric,” raping a dancer at an off- Couric’s historic job change “CBS News,” and “CBS” since campus party. In the third raises several relevant PF&R is- April—and found fi ve articles. sentence of the Reuters sues, especially those of gender Although one of them, in The story that day, the reporter and today’s role of electronic (London) Financial Times, noted: “The accusations journalism. Couric may have only listed the top fi ve Google of rape brought by a black shown up for work once dressed searches, with Couric at num- woman against the three white students at the elite as SpongeBob SquarePants, but ber two. Calling her “America’s U.S. university has captured the media’s overall coverage attention of the U.S. media has been myopic, even short- SEE “CONVERGENCE,” P. 7 and some community activ- ists, who are citing it as an example of racial and class tensions in Durham, North In This Issue Carolina, where the school is located.” Volume 39/Number 3 The frame of race and class is common in stories MC&S Journal Editor Call ................................................................................ 2 like this, and in many cases Call for 2006-07 Division Offi cer Nominations ................................................. 3 the news media come under Distinguished Educator winner Announced ..................................................... 4 as much scrutiny as the key Division Receives Record Number of Submissions......................................... 5 fi gures involved. Those in Reserve Fund Surplus Offers Resources ........................................................ 6 Annual Convention Program.....................................................................INSERT SEE “HEAD NOTE,” P. 2 MC&S Division Newsletter ¢ Spring 2006 ¢ 1 HEADNOTE, CONTINUED FROM P. 1 the community often charge that even well-meaning coverage CALL further exacerbates an already fragile situation. The national media already have faced criticism for their Duke coverage, MC&S Journal Editor “which in some cases has portrayed Durham as a poor black city sitting in the shadows of an elite white university,” according The Mass Communication & Society editorial se- to a report from WRAL in Raleigh-Durham. lection committee is requesting self- and third- The Mass Communication & Society division has long been concerned with the effects of media on communities they serve. party nominations for the position of journal This year, the division is sponsoring a competition for research editor. The editorship will commence with the papers addressing social divides and the media. first issue of the 2008 volume and will run for The top papers in that competition will be presented at a a three-year term. The new editor is expected PR&R/Referreed research panel at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. to begin reviewing new manuscripts in the fall 2, in San Francisco. The panel is co-sponsored with the Minori- of 2006. The editor, who must be a member ties and Communication Division. Commenting on the how news of the Mass Communication & Society Divi- media can bridge divided publics will be two Bay Area media diversity experts: Dori J. Maynard, president and chief executive sion, receives an annual stipend of $5,000. For officer of the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Educa- more information about the editor position and tion in Oakland; and Pati Poblete, editorial writer and former responsibilities, interested parties are encour- demographics editor for the San Francisco Chronicle. aged to contact editorial selection committee In 2003, Maynard talked to many newspaper managers and members (Jennifer Greer [email protected], staffers as part of the Institute’s strategic planning process. In a Marie Hardin [email protected], Carol Pardun 2004 column, she wrote: “It should not be surprising that jour- [email protected], or Linda Bathgate Linda.Bat nalists do not know how to talk across race....Most of us grew [email protected]). up (and now live) in mostly segregated communities, attended schools lacking in a diverse student body, and go to segregated Letters of self- and third-party nomination houses of worship. Rarely are we in situations that give us the describing the candidate’s qualifications and will- experience and knowledge about how to talk across race.” ingness to serve must be submitted in electronic As a result, Maynard has focused on helping journalists go format by July 1, 2006. The nominated candidate beyond simple coverage that rigidly segments truly complex and should also prepare a formal proposal document- diverse communities using a program called “Fault Lines.” ing his/her vision for the journal; a commitment “Based on the late Robert C. Maynard’s belief that the five of institutional support and a contact person at fault lines of race, class, gender, generation and geography are the most enduring forces shaping lives, experiences and social the institution for confirmation; and his/her abil- tensions in this country, the Institute’s Fault Lines framework ity to work with authors, editorial board members helps journalists build a more diverse source list, have more and the journal publisher, Lawrence Erlbaum As- voices in stories and determine which fault lines are at work in sociates, in a timely fashion. This document, along complex issues,” explains a backgrounder from the Institute. with the candidate’s c.v., can be sent separately Poblete is one who understands those issues. As demo- from the letter of nomination, but both the nomi- graphics editor, she oversaw a team of reporters covering race nation and the supporting documents should be relations, religion, gay and lesbian issues, immigration, youth, and aging for the Chronicle. She won the 2002 Hearst Eagle received no later than July 1, 2006. The editorial Award in recognition for the diverse coverage she helped bring selection committee hopes to select a candidate about as editor of the Living section of the paper. She now to be presented to the division’s membership for writes a regular column covering political and social issues. approval at the business meeting scheduled for Poblete wrote of her frustrations with the glacial pace of Thursday, Aug. 3, at the AEJMC Convention in newsrooms to diversify staffs in a March 2006 column. “I sat in San Francisco. countless meetings pitching stories from different ethnic commu- Send letters of nomination and accompanying nities at tables filled with all white males. Each time I’d hear the documents via email, to: Jennifer Greer, Head, words: ‘Why does that story matter to our average reader?’ But all I really heard was ‘Why would a white male from a middle-to- Mass Communication & Society Division, AE- upper class community care?’ …Diversity – not just ethnic, but JMC, [email protected] ¢ gender and ideological – should be of paramount importance for every newsroom, the basis by which we ensure that our read- ers get well-balanced, accurate news. It’s not a matter of being politically correct; it’s just good business.” ¢ 2 ¢ MC&S Division Newsletter ¢ Spring 2006 MC&S Division Newsletter ¢ Spring 2006 ¢ 3 CALL Nominations for 2006-07 Division Officers H. Denis Wu, I know a lot of you have great friendlier than others (in my ence coordinator. The 2007 Louisiana State, ideas to promote research, opinion) and always welcomes conference site is Reno, Nevada. Immediate Past Headr teaching, and PF&R for MCS; young, active members to par- It should be a lot of fun! so many of you have contrib- ticipate. In fact, MC&S is going Please send nomina- uted to our favorite division in to launch a system that will have tions by July 1, 2006, to me at a great variety of ways. Now at least two officers (one senior [email protected]. is the opportunity for you to and one junior officer) serving Include (1) the officer put your ingenious thoughts on each of the three main com- position in which the nominee into real action and see them mittees (research, teaching, and is interested; (2) nominee’s materialize first-hand: nominate PF&R). In so doing, we hope background and/or experience; yourself or someone you know the senior officer’s experience and (3) contact information.

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