1:18 PM |
Lack of diversity in New Zealand newsrooms debated
Pacific Scoop
Thakur Ranjit Singh, Pacific Media Centre.
An interactive forum organised by the Office of Ethnic Affairs, among other things, discussed the lack of diversity in New Zealand newsrooms. The Ethnic Media Workshop held at Alexander Park in Greenlane last week heard some distinguished speakers.
Former New Zealand Herald editor-in-chief Gavin Ellis explained why it was important to separate news and views, and how to protect facts in a world increasingly driven by opinion. Dominic Sheehan, Chief Executive, Broadcasting Standards Authority and Clive Lind, member NZ Press Council explained why a journalist needed to know about media and broadcasting standards in NZ.
Clive Lind who is also the Editorial Development Manager of Fairfax New Zealand Ltd told his mostly ethnic audience how the opportunities for internship could be accessed by Ethnic media students and journalists. He said that Fairfax had started an internship scheme in 2006 and this has given a break to people seeking a career in journalism. However, the opportunities were open to all and were not based on ethnicity. This led to discussion on the contentious issue of diversity in media. On question from one participant about the lack of colour and opportunity in New Zealand newsrooms, Lind agreed that the media should reflect the demographic make up of the country. He said in New Zealand, many media training institutions had largely Pakeha population. Perhaps greater diversity in this respect may encourage ethnic communities to show greater interest in media industry and media studies. He agreed that while some media organisations reflected some diversity, there were many other where a change was required and which would be desirable.
The forum heard from one recently graduated ethnic graduate of Communication Studies from a reputable University about his difficulties in getting employment in media industry, despite the claim by the industry that they were not getting applications from the ethnic communities. One participant raised another sensitive issue about the practice of racism in selection process where the job recruiters in the media industry were all Pakeha, especially in the mainstream media and they still appeared to harbour prejudices against the minorities. It was heard that such practices failed to make the New Zealand media industry as diverse as its population make-up and hence also resulted in stereotypes projected by the mostly Pakeha journalists when reporting on ethnic communities or on the Pacific.
It was suggested that perhaps Fairfax, together with the input and assistance from the Office of Ethnic Affairs could set up an ethnic media committee or a council or a forum where such issues could be discussed and where ethnic students may get better access to the mainstream newsrooms to project the true colour of New Zealand.
After the presentations and lunch, the participants were taken on tour of Maori Television Station and Newstalk ZB radio station in Auckland. The coordinator of the forum, Bernard Gomes, Senior Ethnic Affairs Advisor from the Office of Ethnic Affairs said that the ethnic participants very much appreciated this opportunity of seeing first hand how a busy newsroom operated in a TV and radio station respectively. He said that the reaction from these newsrooms were also very positive as it raised ethnic diversity profile of journalists. Seeing over twenty or so journalist from diverse community was a pleasant surprise for the media organisations and they discussed about further opportunities. Gomes said he received very positive feedback and the Office of Ethnic Affairs will continue in this area to raise awareness and develop interest of ethnic communities in the media industry and continue to provide platforms which promoted better networking and job opportunities for ethnic journalists.
Thakur Ranjit Singh is a postgraduate student in Communication Studies at AUT and a volunteer at AUT's Pacific Media Centre.
URL to article: http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/lack-of-diversity-in-new-zealand-newsrooms-debated/
Copyright © 2009 pacific. All rights reserved.
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