Many programmes already exist which address the issues of empowering journalists to better report diversity. The workshop recommends information about these should be collected and collated for dissemination to members of the Global Inter-Media Dialogue community.
Data could be gathered on the following (among others):
1. Informed journalism: Approaches to journalism education throughout the world, especially those programmes that train people to think critically about reporting diversity.
2. Exchanges:
2.1 International exchange programmes that enable journalists to gain meaningful experience in newsrooms that have a record of professional development of staff. The exchanges could interface with local teaching programmes which address diversity reporting issues.
2.2 Exchanges that take place between journalism institutions, educators and students.
2.3 Initiatives by news organisations and educational institutes which make data, materials, contacts, experts, resources, etc freely available.
From these could evolve a global system for promoting and arranging the exchange of information, people and resources to enhance journalists’ knowledge about reporting diversity and cultures different from their own.
3. Recruitment:
3.1 Strategies that successfully broaden the diversity of newsroom staffs and which recruit from minority communities.
3.2 Approaches which encourage into journalism people with expertise to provide more-informed content in reporting.
4. Journalists in danger: Organisations working to support journalists who are oppressed and/or work in exile.
5. Debates about diversity reporting, freedom of expression, impartiality, independence, basic standards or reporting and writing, the impacts of multi-media and the internet, and journalism education that is relevant to these issues.
6. Sensitive areas: Existing initiatives in mapping problems when reporting in sensitive areas (international organisations, human rights groups, journalism organisations, etc)
7. Workplace mentoring and training programmes which include modules that enable all editors, newsroom managers and journalists to become more effective in covering diversity stories.
8. Mentor network: Experienced journalists who are willing to become part of a global network of mentors to make their knowledge available to the less experienced or those required to report on cultures with which they are not familiar.
9. Media industry/academia: Examples of workable relationships between media industry managers and journalism educators that address diversity reporting issues.
10. Media organisations: The range of self-regulatory bodies, ombudsmen, press councils, broadcasting standards authorities, unions, journalist organisations, media freedom and defence organisations, etc.
11. Retention: Strategies for retaining journalists within the industry.
Who would do this?
An editorial board should be formed to refine the suggestions and define the project.
A research director should be appointed to manage the project over a year.
Each continent should have a research assistant assigned to gather the data specified above, collate the data, and make it available to the GIMD community.
Issues for the board to consider would include:
1. Setting priorities from the information gathered.
2. Developing website capability.
3. Meeting occasionally to discuss progress.
How this project is to be funded would need to be considered by the joint sponsors of the Global Inter-Media Dialogue, The Republic of Indonesia and the Kingdom of Norway.
The board would co-ordinate its activities with other relevant bodies such as the International Federation of Journalists and the UN Alliance of Civilisations.
Initiatives to be considered by the editorial board would include those which emerge from investigating the points above, and:
1. Options for exiled journalists and those working in oppressive environments.
2. Formulating relationships with existing journalist, media and diversity organisations.
3. Developing profiles which identify journalistic problems relevant to particular cultures and possible methods of resolving them.
4. Identifying and celebrating examples of excellence in diversity reporting, with global awards to recognise achievement.
5. Identifying opportunities for dialogue between various groups, such as those listed in 9 above, as well as newsroom gatekeepers, journalism educators, students, and working journalists.
Time frame
Appointment of board, research director and researchers by October 1, 2007.
The board should report to the next GIMD forum in Indonesia, 2008.
Presented by Mr. Jim Tucker