I recently attended the panel discussion “Minorities in the Media: Where do students fit?”
Representing the panel was:

• Dr. Trevy McDonald, UNC School of Journalism & Mass Communication
• Dr. Lucila Vargas, UNC School of Journalism & Mass Communication
• Grant Bollmer, UNC Department of Communication Studies
• Sara Gregory, Student, Online managing editor of The Daily Tar Heel
  Former Print Managing editor of The DTH

Obviously there are many different types of minority groups and the panel narrowed down this broad topic and focused on the representation of Blacks, Asians and Hispanics in the media. One of the main questions addressed was how we, as students, try to combat this, and what is our role in the media?

Here are some points to consider:

1. Is there a lack of coverage?

1. Letter written to the editor of the DTH about the lack of coverage of this year’s step show

2. Racial pop culture branding – is this ok?

1. Turning Obama into a brand and wrapping so many different stories around it
2. Turning a pop culture thing into a beat

3. Is bad coverage better than no coverage?

1. CNN’s Latino in America Reviews had some harsh critique saying that it was “sensational and shallow”

4. Everyday racism highlighted today

1. Is it ok to turn a daily event into a huge story?

5. Strength of headlines

1. AP wire headline: man suspected of fatally shooting four Hispanic men – when is it appropriate to use racially charged terminology in a headline?

A few valuable applications:

Students should operate under a “consumer -responsibility mentality”.  As we consume media, we (and really all members of society) have the responsibility to critically analyze the information and respond accordingly. While students hold some responsibility, there is also great responsibility that rests on the educators, who must equip journalists to cover minority groups. We as journalism students are the media’s future. We have the power to inspire change. Check out the Facebook event wall “Minorities in the Media: Where do Students fit?” to learn more about the discussion, and initiate change as you post comments and share your views on our role as students.

 

 

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