Chapter 17

What comes to mind when you hear the word alien?

What about “Illegal Alien”

What do you think of when you see or hear that?

Does it apply to a specific demographic group?

Even carefully chosen words Can be interpreted differently than

intended

Things that influence interpretation▪ Gender ▪ Race▪ Geography▪ Ethnic background

Define the following words▪ Majority▪ Ghetto▪ Inner City▪ How did you learn the definition of each?

Do the definitions people have of these places▪ Help to develop stereotypes?

There are news writing terms preferred by different groups▪ African American▪ Chicano▪ Hispanic, Latino

▪ People of color How would you know what term is

appropriate at any given time?▪ Reporters often ask members of the group

how they would like to be addressed

There are many organizations that help promote fairness NABJ NAHJ AAJA NLGJA

During your newsgathering Consult different groups & sources▪ To find the terms they would prefer to be used▪ Age, Race, Gender, etc▪ This goes with the sensitivity that we discussed earlier▪ Also helps to get different points of view

One way the media can be more sensitive to the needs of minorities▪ Is to hire more minorities▪ Encourage them to express their diversity

Minorities make up ▪ 13-14 percent ▪ Of the 54 thousand full time journalists

▪ 21 percent of the workforce in TV & Radio

The increase in the Hispanic population Has led to the development of ▪ More Spanish speaking publications

Multicultural sensitivity▪ Not only includes the sources, but also the kinds

of stories chosen▪ Stereotypes presented in the media also impact

the groups portrayed

Gender Differences When covering stories of different genders▪ Try to avoid incorporating stereotypical elements▪ Use appearance descriptors only if used for both

genders

▪ Tips to avoid sexism, listed on Page 331

Every group has some special needs and concerns about language. How would the following be described?▪ A man in a wheelchair▪ A person with AIDS▪ People over 65▪ Best place to start is to ask the people

you are discussing

People with disabilities Don’t characterize someone as disabled▪ Unless it’s important to the story▪ Avoid the word “handicapped”

When interviewing people with disabilities▪ Be aware of – Pg 333▪ Volume▪ Perspective when writing▪ Use of Adjectives

The U.S. Population is aging Often stories about elderly people are

▪ Written by younger people▪ Developed from a younger perspective▪ Lack sensitivity towards age

When writing about people over 65▪ Avoid descriptors that apply only to older people▪ Avoid stereotypes▪ More on pg 334

Interview members of various ethnic and racial groups on campus or in your community ▪ Ask bout their concerns and the kinds of stories

they think newspaper are not writing about them.

Develop 10 story ideas based on your interviews and select one to do a story on.▪ Include all 10 story ideas at the end of your

article