Unifor Local 2000’s executive board has officially endorsed a call to strengthen newsroom diversity.
On Feb. 1, 2020, the executive members unanimously voted to support the call to action, published by the Canadian Association of Black Journalists and Canadian Journalists of Colour.
“We live in such a diverse country and the media that tells the story of Canadians needs to reflect that diversity.” said Brian Gibson, president of Local 2000.
The call to action posted here, originally published on Jan. 28, outlines seven concrete steps newsrooms can take to combat racial inequity. The action call pointed to a study of the Greater Toronto Area from 15 years ago that showed visible minorities only represented 4.8% of executives and board members in media organizations, and that newspaper columnists and broadcast hosts were underrepresented when it came to diversity.
The seven action points:
- Begin self-reporting of newsroom demographics on a regular basis
- Increase representation and coverage of racialized communities by hiring more editors and reporters of colour
- Retain and promote journalists of colour to management positions in the newsroom
- Formally consult with racialized communities about news coverage on an ongoing basis
- Take a structural approach to improving representation beyond corporate training and workshops
- Create scholarships and mentorship opportunities targeted towards aspiring journalists of colour
- Start the work of diversity and inclusion in Canadian journalism schools
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