Reporting Diversity: A Checklist 2

Society of Professional Journalism*




Have I covered the story with sensitivity, accuracy, fairness, and balance to all of the people involved?

What are the likely consequences of publishing or broadcasting this story? Who will be hurt and who will be helped?

Have I sought a diversity of sources for this story?

Am I seeking true diversity or using "tokenism" by allowing one minority person to represent a community or a point of view?

Have I allowed preconceived ideas to limit my efforts to include diversity?

Am I flexible about the possibility that the focus of the story may change when different sources are included?

Am I being realistic? Are there some stories that can't be diversified? Is there a reasonable effort to balance the story and avoid exclusion?

Have I developed a meaningful list of minority sources who can bring perspective and expertise into the mainstream of daily news coverage?

Have I spent time in minority communities and with residents to find out what people are thinking and to learn more about lifestyles, perspectives, customs, etc.?

If I am writing about achievements, am I writing about them on their own merits rather than as stereotype-breakers?

Am I letting place names (the south side, the inner city, Watts, etc.) become code words for crime or other negative news?

As I seek diversity, am I being true to my other goals as a journalist?

Will I be able to clearly and honestly explain, not rationalize, my decision to anyone who challenges it?


*blended from a variety of sources, ranging from the Seattle Times RAPP group to suggestions from Sandy Rivera at KHOU-TV, Houston; Mervin Aubespin, the Louisville Courier-Journal; and Sherrie Mazingo, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.