What minority journalists identify as constraints to full newsroom equality

Abstract

This article identifies and analyzes discriminatory practices minority journalists said they experienced after they were hired. For African American journalists, discrimination was perceived as resulting from lower performance expectations by their white colleagues, particularly when whites assume they were hired primarily to fill racial or ethnic quotas. Hispanic American journalists complained of being pigeonholed into Hispanic‐specific assignments, or of being asked to perform mundane Spanish translations. All forms of discrimination identified were said to lower job satisfaction and morale, and to inhibit minority journalists from effectively manipulating the newsgate to further racial and ethnic equality in their communities.

Key Terms:

• Affirmative action
• alienation
• isolation
• the Kerner Commission report
• mass media industry
• minority journalists