As journalists head to Chicago this week for the UNITY '08 convention , the largest gathering of journalists of color, the Radio-TV News Directors Association releases some encouraging news. According to its annual research, the percentages of women and minority journalists in local broadcast newsrooms increased in 2007. The survey , conducted by Hofstra University's Bob Papper for RTNDA, found: A record high percentage of women TV news directors: 28.3 A record high percentage of minority TV news directors: 15.5 An increase in the percentage of minorities in the broadcast workforce The overall diversity picture was better for television than radio, but even radio newsrooms reported increased percentages of minorities in staff and management. RTNDA has published the full report , complete with charted demographic breakdowns and historical perspective. There's also a comparison of diversity figures in broadcast and newspaper newsrooms, showing broadcast outperforming print: 23.6 to 13.5 percent. While upbeat, the report also reminds readers that the percentage of minorities in newsrooms has yet to reach parity with minority population in the U.S.: 34 percent. And, as that population continues to grow, the minority workforce gains in newsrooms is not keeping pace. What are the lessons from this study? I asked RTNDA President Barbara Cochran, who shared her responses via e-mail. Jill Geisler: Percentages are up for wome ...
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As journalists head to Chicago this week for the UNITY '08 convention , the largest gathering of journalists of color, the Radio-TV News Directors Association releases some encouraging news. According to its annual research, the percentages of women and minority journalists in local broadcast newsrooms increased in 2007. The survey , conducted by Hofstra University's Bob Papper for RTNDA, found: A record high percentage of women TV news directors: 28.3 A record high percentage of minority TV news directors: 15.5 An increase in the percentage of minorities in the broadcast workforce The overall diversity picture was better for television than radio, but even radio newsrooms reported increased percentages of minorities in staff and management. RTNDA has published the full report , complete with charted demographic breakdowns and historical perspective. There's also a comparison of diversity figures in broadcast and newspaper newsrooms, showing broadcast outperforming print: 23.6 to 13.5 percent. While upbeat, the report also reminds readers that the percentage of minorities in newsrooms has yet to reach parity with minority population in the U.S.: 34 percent. And, as that population continues to grow, the minority workforce gains in newsrooms is not keeping pace. What are the lessons from this study? I asked RTNDA President Barbara Cochran, who shared her responses via e-mail. Jill Geisler: Percentages are up for wome ...