A newspaper's staff needs to reflect the cultural and intellectual makeup of the communities they cover. The Summer Post, however, does not. One primary mission of this and every paper is to serve and enlighten the audience. Without certain sensitivities paid to groups within the larger community, it is a mission that is compromised.
Although diversity in the workplace is still a hot-button political issue embroiled in identity politics, it is central to gathering news. Identity matters to a large segment of the community, and that voice needs to be in the newsroom.
While largely composed of women ' with the exception of the executive editors, who are all men ' The Summer Post's newsroom is filled with white students.
The larger problem is that the answer to why this climate exists is elusive. Part of it is the lack of diversity on campus, but The Post is not close to reflecting the proportion of minorities among students. It might be a matter of trust.
It's obvious that some minority students and faculty have no respect or trust for this paper. At the gathering of students and faculty outside Ed Mahony's appeal hearing, many black faculty and students voiced strong criticism of The Post.
Concerning our lack of coverage of minority issues, the critics have a point.
Newspapers will anger as many people as they please. Reporting the closest approximation of the truth is a harsh business that will infuriate many who refuse to believe the facts or try to deny them.
Yet, the truth is a fickle thing. All a journalist can do and should do is assemble facts logically and in an easy to understand fashion. And this is where the problems are. In the age of identity politics, without the proper cultural sensitivity there is a possibility that a story will be framed in an unfair fashion. I'm not suggesting that this has happened, but it's entirely possible. Even with a newsroom that reflects the community, it still occurs.
Acknowledging that a problem exists is the first step. The second step is a series of conversations with readers to garner input.
A quota is not the solution, neither is tokenism. But is there even a good solution or is it a problem that needs to be addressed but never completely solved? We want your thoughts, and we encourage all students to come work for us, even those majoring in something other than journalism.
' Sean M. Gaffney is the Editor In Chief of The Summer Post. He can be reached at sg245204@ohiou.edu or 740-593-9867
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