Abstract

Social awareness surrounding topics such as race, gender and sexuallity, is currently at an
all time high. As a result of this, making sure the work place is diverse and representative of
the real world, is now the focus of the hiring process for many industries. Within journalism in
particular, we have seen great improvements in representation on and off screen. However
there is admittedly still much work to be done, as minorities still make up less than 30% of
most workplaces in Media. Throughout the last decade many companies e.g The BBC, ITV,
Sky and several other news outlets have put in place measures to attract a more diverse
workforce. This includes diversity policies, making their BAME employee count public
knowledge, as well as having schemes and placements specifically aimed at those from
multicultural backgrounds.
Despite these programmes, the percentage of BAME workers is still very low in comparison
to their white counterparts, and even lower in managerial roles. This essay will compare 2
broadcasters and 2 tabloids using articles, clips of newspackages and diversity policies to
analyse any race or class bias, through the use of the language. I will also take a closer look
into why these policies are necessary, focusing on the journey to achieving equality,
specifically for Black workers over the last two decades. Furthermore, I will also decipher if
they have been effective since put into place.

Introduction

The fight for equality in the workplace has been an ongoing uphill battle. Now in 2020 many
would argue that although much has changed on the surface, at the core we are still facing
many of the same issues.. At the BBC 14.8 % of their workers are from ethnic minorities and
10% (BBC. 2017)
of that are in managerial roles, unfortunately this is one of the better examples of a diverse
and inclusive workforce. Although there is a long way to go, there has been a notable
change from the 20th century. Before WW2 Black writers were discredited and undermined
by white journalists, not only were they being underpaid but also publicly criticized. Wh ite
press critics accused black journalists of violating the news industry’s faith in objectivity by
exaggerating racial wrongs and needlessly inflaming racial relations (Caroll, Fred. 2017) Many
writers were penalized, fired or blacklisted for speaking out about the oppression and inequality
they faced at work and in the press on a daily basis. In order to achieve any change, writers such
as Marvel Cooke and several others marched for 11 weeks during the great depression, this
resulted in the civil rights act ‘19xx’.Cooke was very successful and as a civil rights activist, she
achieved many things for Black women through her journalism. Years later, the fight continues
for equality and many are starting to wonder if this is an attainable goal.

Many ask, why is there a need for black journalists ? news is news, no matter who reports it
right? But, there is a need now more than ever for black voices to be heard. It has been shown
time and time again, matters regarding race require to be discussed with sensitivity, compassion,
and most importantly a deeper understanding. On many occasions, topics surrounding race have
been dismissed, talked about negatively or lack perspective that can only be given by someone
who has experienced being black themselves.’Black journalists have a responsibility to be
advocates. Because we’re Black first of all before we’re journalists, and there’s so much out
there that isn’t reported adequately, or so much that is distorted.” (Caroll, Fred 2017)
Political figures such as Trump who have been openly racist and discriminatory towards black
journalists, we have also seen a rise in the questioning of the credibility of news. The term “fake
news” has been used multiple times across the internet by one of the biggest leaders in the
world,this is not only an attack on good journalism but the integrity of established news
outlets.The internet has been a great tool for spreading news, efficiently and quickly. However,
some would argue that the internet has played a huge role in the downfall of truthful, informative
journalism. One of the main tools for fast spreading news that the internet has provided us with is
Twitter. The president of the US has used this tool several times to spew bigotry, racism and
what he would call ‘fake news’. An example of this is the use of the phrase ‘the chinese virus’
which has been used so many times, although it spreads the false narrative that covid-19 (a
variation of SARS) was bread or created in china. The wording of this phrase is coated in passive
racism and discriminatory views. After this tweet had been made there was also a surge in hate
crimes and cyber bullying towards the asian community, a clear example of how using such a
large platform in the wrong way can do more harm than good. This also clearly shows how the
accessibility to create news these days, is also the reason why journalists are facing so much
adversity making sure the correct information is being received on a wide scale. Furthermore we
can see the (?) is in making sure we have representation in news journalism, the more
representation there is the easier it will become to make sure the right knowledge is out there to
educate and inform people further.

In order to conduct an in depth study of why it is essential to promote a more diverse workforce
not only across journalism, but especially in the newsroom. This essay will analyse a series of
companies current figures of their BAME employees in comparison to their caucasian
counterparts. This study will also then look into the diversity policies of each of these companies
to better understand the figures presented. This study follows the introduction with a literature
review that provides contextual information surrounding the state of journalism for minorities ,
and further understanding of racial bias in journalism. Through observing news articles,
interviews and literary thesis, this review will highlight the need for better representation for those
from minority backgrounds in the newsroom.
Literature Review

‘The media isn't diverse and this leads to awful reporting.’ Steven w Thrasher .The issues
regarding the lack of racial diversity in the newsroom, are some of the most discussed topics
amongst media scholars.The reality is that journalism is currently dominated by middle class
white males, not only is there a race gap there is a class gap too. The british press is often
described as ‘ pale, male and posh.” Jane Martinson .A report in 2016 found that more than
half of the country’s top journalists had gone to private school, and 80% of editors in top jobs
came from private or grammar schools. Sadly, ethnic minorities are more likely to come from
lower class backgrounds, meaning they do not have the resources to go to private schools.
This already puts them at a huge disadvantage to their competitors. Whilst many white
journalists refuse to acknowledge the clear racial bias that exists within the press today, the
news continues to produce stories that project prejudice and discriminatory views.

To get your foot into journalism, you might find that the majority of successful reporters
started off doing an unpaid internship to gain some experience. This being something that
many aspiring writers from minority backgrounds cannot afford to do, as the cost of living in
London especially is particularly high, and London is the pinnacle of opportunity for
beginners .’Three in five of the best-paid BBC on-air journalists and presenters went to
independent schools. That means you're nine times more likely to be a top BBC journalist if
you went to private school.’Lewis 2017 In order to represent societal values across the
board, there is a necessity that the body of people presenting the news has a sufficient
range of views, in essence reflecting society itself. The simple fact that the majority of top
journalists around the country are saturated with grammar/private school ex attendees,
speaks volumes to the effect this has not only on the content produced but also the hiring
process itself. The british media has on multiple occasions presented racially insensitive,
classist, and other discriminatory views due to the lack of perspective and understanding of
reporters. Unsurprisingly only 11 % of journalists are from working class backgrounds. This
is why diversity policies, scholarships and schemes aimed at those from minority
backgrounds have increased in the past few years. However, this has still not solved the
problem. Many young people have found that they are the token black person, hired by their
company to hit the numbers.

Journalists from minority backgrounds are often subject to more criticism than praise.’ White
journalists often characterized black reporters as uncredentialed amateurs who worked for
marginal publications prone to spelling errors and sloppy design’ Cooke 1996. This is a clear
example of how white journalists have acted as the gatekeepers to mainstream media for
centuries, using intimidation and privilege to silence black writers. Cooke continues ‘They
dismissed black innovation as mere emulation. Most devastatingly, white press critics accused
black journalists of violating the news industry’s faith in objectivity by exaggerating racial wrongs
and needlessly inflaming racial relations.’. Many journalists of colour who choose to report on
racial matters were often referred to as ‘extremists’, leading many to shying away from all race
related topics altogether.
Whilst researching diversity, it is very clear that there is little to no literature that negates the
need to diversify the workforce. This may indicate how far we have come but may also
demonstrate how racism doesn't have to be written about, it just is. One of the main counter
arguments in the fight against diversifying the newsroom, essentially questions journalism as
we know it today. Many journalists refuse to acknowledge that some stories may contain
bias that are unbeknownst to the writer. The issue being that to admit this then questions
their journalistic integrity. The essence of journalism is to remain unbiased and objective
when presenting any story. However, without perspective one can easily end up doing the
opposite due to pure ignorance and a lack of understanding.
Research has proven “ black families are overly associated with crime and Muslims with
terrorism by media outlets convinced they treat every group fairly. Researchers at the
University of Alabama found that terror attacks committed by Muslims received 357 percent
more coverage than attacks committed by others.” These shocking figures highlight how a
lack of representation can also promote untrue ideas and further prejudice within society.

Tony Harcup discusses the culture within journalism today ‘Newspaper journalism fosters a
culture of the clique.
Anyone who does not fit into the prevailing clique’s clearly defined pigeon-holes tends to be
viewed with suspicion and ends up being marginalised or forced out. People may be
tolerated for their usefulness, but few are promoted to the hierarchy, which remains a club
that promotes only those who they recognise as younger versions of themselves.’ This
statement clearly demonstrates why there are such few journalists who come from working
class backgrounds, and why it is so difficult to diversify the workforce. Although we have
come a very long way, it is clear as day that there is still much work to be done

Methodology
The way in which the media presents issues relating to race and class, plays a big part in
constructing public perception of race related topics. This dissertation highlights the
assumptions made by 2 broadcasters and 2 tabloids. The BBC, Channel 4 news, The
Guardian and The Daily Mail. I will also analyse how representation or the lack thereof at
each company may or may not contribute to the assumptions presented in the findings. This
essay will compare and examine the use of language in articles, on screen and in each
company's diversity policies to better understand if this contributes to any bias discovered
throughout the evidence.

To best achieve this firstly I will analyse the language and tools used in articles and
newspackages surrounding the windrush scandal. The other text I will be comparing is the
language used by each company in their diversity policies, giving me a better insight into
their aims, values and reasons for striving for a more versatile workforce. The Windrush
scandal is a very controversial topic, the windrush generation arrived in london many years
ago and they worked in the UK as british citizens. Unfortunately in 2018 many of the
windrush generation were wrongly detained, denied their legal rights, threatened with
deportation, and in at least 83 cases wrongly deported. Sadly a few of those deported went
on to lose their lives, due to starvation, losing their benefits and improper medical attention.
I have specifically chosen to examine this event as in each case, these are inherently failings
of the british government and it was a huge political scandal. In addition to this I believe
taking a look at the diversity and representation each of these companies, will provide insight
into if diversifying the workforce contributes to creating more objective news. My aim is to
establish the connection between a versatile workplace including all races, disabilities,
sexual orientation and class’ and the output of news on a wide scale.

[Harcup, Tony. Journalism]

Josie Verghese
Disabled-man-starved-to-death-after-dwp-stopped-his-benefits

Meyer and Moore believe "the relationship between religion and media has recently been
subject to more thorough reflection, in academia as well as public debate."

‘News may appear as sometimes chaotic flow of information in the bait, but it is also
underpinned by key assumptions about fulfilling relationships and how they are to be
understood.’

Amid these political maneuverings, black journalists encountered unyielding criticism from white
reporters and editors who reinforced journalism’s color line by withholding from commercial black
newspapers the imprimatur of professionalism. White journalists often characterized black
reporters as uncredentialed amateurs who worked for marginal publications prone to spelling
errors and sloppy design. They dismissed black innovation as mere emulation. Most
devastatingly, white press critics accused black journalists of violating the news industry’s faith in
objectivity by exaggerating racial wrongs and needlessly inflaming racial relations— an
unpardonable lapse of professional integrity that most white journalists believed black reporters
could never overcome. “Extremist Negro leaders and Negro newspapers in this country are
demanding an overnight revolution in race relations,” warned

Bibliography

Carroll, Fred. Race News : Black Journalists and the Fight for Racial Justice in the Twentieth
Century, University of Illinois Press, 2017. ProQuest Ebook Central,
http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/mdx/detail.action?docID=5124748.
Created from mdx on 2020-06-02 10:42:43.

https://presspad.co.uk/making-the-case-for-diverse-newsrooms/
https://news.sky.com/story/the-bbc-pay-gap-is-bad-its-class-gap-is-worse-10957166

https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3914586/Googles-Ideological-Echo-
Chamber.pdf

https://niemanreports.org/articles/how-implicit-bias-works-in-journalism/