TW MAIN 07-21-08 A 19 TVWEEK 7/17/2008 4:33 PM Page 1 SPOTLIGHT ON THE ELECTION TELEVISIONWEEK July 21, 2008 19 BARACK OBAMA’S HISTORIC PRESIDENTIAL BID A HOT TOPIC AT UNITY ... PAGE 20 INSIDE SPECIAL SECTION Keynote Speaker Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal NABJ’S Outlook Leaders of the National Association of Black Journalists say the group is focused on the challenge of NewsproTHE STATE OF TV NEWS tough economic times. Page 22 Top Issue for NAHJ Immigration reform remains a key theme for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Page 24 Fighting Stereotypes Arab American journalists talk about how 9/11, the war in Iraq and attitudes toward the Middle East affect their work. Page 25 A Broad Spectrum How the AAJA serves its diverse membership while fighting for fairness and accuracy. Page 26 Covering China Bringing the Olympics to a Chinese audience in the U.S. Page 27 Small but Dedicated Native American journalists make sure they’re heard despite their COLORCOLOR relatively small numbers. Page 28 UNITY ‘08 What: Joint conference of the IT UNITY four major associations repre- senting journalists of color, Ebony’s Monroe Explains the Plan as 10,000 held every four years Journalists of Color Gather in Chicago Where: McCormick Place West, Chicago Once every four years the four biggest associations Q&A for journalists of color join forces for a major conference, When: July 23-27 billed as the largest gathering of journalists in the nation. Who: Presented by Unity: Nearly 10,000 participants are expected this week for Unity ’08, tak- Journalists of Color, a coali- ing place July 23-27 at McCormick Place West in Chicago. tion of the Asian American The conference promises to be an important media event, with Journalists Association, the the two major political parties’ presumptive presidential nomi- National Association of nees—Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama—tentatively set to Black Journalists, the meet the press and answer their questions. National Association of His- To get the best angle on Unity ’08, TelevisionWeek correspondent panic Journalists and the Allison J. Waldman spoke with Bryan Monroe, editor of Ebony maga- Native American Journalists zine, president of the National Association of Black Journalists and Association Unity ’08 board member. Continued on Page 31 Details: 2008unity.org Bryan Monroe TW MAIN 07-21-08 A 20 TVWEEK 7/17/2008 3:19 PM Page 1 20 July 21, 2008 TELEVISIONWEEK NEWSPRO KEEPING PACE WITH THE look at the people covering it.” ing. That’s why we’re here, to try to Ms. Ciara is not alone in her raise the awareness that stories need assessment of a presidential race that a diversity of voice.” CANDIDATES reveals troubling indications of racial Other Unity ’08 attendees stress disparity in U.S. newsrooms. Pamela the gains that have been made. Field’s Diversity Not Matched by Journalists Covering Presidential Campaign Gentry, BET senior political producer Telemundo President Don Browne in the Washington bureau, was con- noted, “Market by market, we’ve By Debra Kaufman At Unity ’08, however, journalists are it,” said Barbara Ciara, president of cerned enough to propose a panel on made a lot of progress recently. Special to TelevisionWeek taking a hard look at what hasn’t the National Association of Black the topic at the Unity ’08 “I’ve been a journalist The battle between Hillary Clin- changed with the times. Journalists. “If we are going to look at conference. most of my life and I’ve ton and Barack Obama for the “The historic nature of this year’s race as an issue and then say we’re “This particular cam- been watching a lot of tel- Democratic presidential nomination presidential race underscores the having a ‘kumbaya’ moment because paign, there has been so evision,” he said. “The made this a historic election season. lack of minority journalists covering we potentially have a black nominee, much talk about the composition of the pun- diversity of the candi- dits has changed a good dates, that it was his- bit. If you look at Fox, toric, and that in the CNN, MSNBC, you’re see- Democratic nomination ing more diversity this race, we had an African year than you’ve seen in American, a woman and many years.” Public charter schools are DON BROWNE a Hispanic running,” “You’re going to see a Telemundo said Ms. Gentry. “But lot more pundits, inclusive when I looked at the White House of myself, to talk about the campaign, making a difference... beat, it’s still being covered by white not just about Obama but this presi- males. The candidates were more dential race,” said Ms. Gentry. “You’re diverse than the press corps. How seeing more women being asked to did this happen? And why?” step forward at the networks in the That’s the topic of “Making News: political coverage. If you go in the Patriotism, Pandering and That gallery of the White House, you won’t Preacher Man: Minority Journalists see a huge change, but I think that and the Unpredictable, Unprece- change will filter up.” dented Presidential Campaign,” Ms. Montenegro said she’s seeing scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. Among more African American pundits on the evidence to be examined is a television, but has yet to see growth in study commissioned by Unity ’04 the ranks of Hispanic journalists. “As In Places Where Traditional Schools Haven’t. that revealed “journalists of color we get closer to the election, I person- represented one in 10 writers, editors ally hope to see that there are more and bureau chiefs in the Washington Hispanics in that role,” she said. “And press corps.” when I say Hispanics, I want to see In addition to Ms. Gentry, Head- political analysts. You always see a lot line News anchor Richard Lui, NBC of Hispanics who support one candi- News Senior VP Mark Whitaker, Tele- date or the other. But where are the mundo Washington bureau chief Lori strategists? It’s important that we have Montenegro and Wash- Hispanics who can be free in places where traditional schools haven’t. ington Times journalist to criticize [a candidate].” Brian DeBose will Mr. Lui said CNN attempt to shed light on Headline News’ pundits Public charter schools are bringing Graduation rates increase. the state of affairs. include Amy Holmes, “I think it is a complex Gloria Borger, Joe Johns, high-quality education opportunities situation and there might Suzanne Malveaux, Rick Going to college turns from a dream Sanchez, Donna Brazile to students in some of our most be different aspects to it,” to an expectation. said Ms. Montenegro. and Roland Martin, who disadvantaged communities. “The most obvious is that come from diverse back- [minority journalists] are grounds. “It’s not just There are now 4,300 public charter LORI MONTENEGRO These independent public schools simply not hired. I don’t Telemundo Washington white pundits,” he said. schools in 40 states and the District think that has to do with “And that within itself is are more innovative but still are held people not applying, but who’s actu- quite dynamic compared to any of Columbia serving more than 1.2 accountable for student achievement. ally doing the hiring.” election before.” million students, including 60 percent Tightening budgets in broadcast Mr. Lui also notes the need for and print newsrooms also are leading diversity behind the scenes. “Off-air Learning replaces chaos. minority students. to layoffs that affect minority journal- or behind-the-scenes team members ists. “We’re not getting support from absolutely should be put in this con- the networks and the papers,” said versation, too,” he said. “They are the NABJ Executive Director Karen Wynn executive producers, writers, editors Learn more about how public charter Freeman. “They’re downsizing like and news directors that make the key schools are making a difference at crazy. Often, people of color are the decisions on coverage and craft the last to come in, so they’re the first to great stories we tell every day. Diverse www.publiccharters.org. leave. The sensitivity to making sure perspectives in this group impact representation is there … from what coverage in a big way, but these are we’re seeing, that’s just not happen- often the faces you don’t see on TV.” TW MAIN 07-21-08 A 21 TVWEEK 7/17/2008 3:22 PM Page 1 BIG DRAW Sen. Barack TELEVISIONWEEK July 21, 2008 21 Obama is expected to speak at Unity ‘08, as is Sen. John McCain. RTNDA LAUDS COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY The Radio-Television month is CNN, for its report Global Resource Service.” News Directors Association “Special Investigations Unit: WNYC-FM, New York’s will co-present the ninth Children of the Storm” in report “WNYC’s Radio Rook- annual RTNDA/Unity Awards the network TV category. ies: NYC Immigrant Teens” during Wednesday’s gala WTLV-TV, Jacksonville, Fla., and South Dakota Public opening of the Unity Confer- will receive the award in the Broadcasting, Vermillion, ence in Chicago. large market category for S.D.’s “SDPB Radio” are The awards recognize “Dropping Out.” WHA-TV, being recognized in the large news organizations that Madison, Wis. gets honors market and small market have shown a commitment for “Way of the Warrior” in categories, respectively. to reporting on cultural the small market category. This year’s winners also diversity in their communi- In the radio categories, will be honored Oct. 13 at ties. PRI’s The World in Boston the RTNDA Awards Dinner Among the TV winners wins in the network catego- in New York.