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Black Americans Demand Fairer News Coverage: Study Reveals Critical Views and Recommendations

NNPA NEWSWIRE — A notable 64% of those who have witnessed racially insensitive coverage believe that educating all journalists about issues affecting Black Americans would be an extremely or very effective way to ensure fairer coverage.
The post Black Americans Demand Fairer News Coverage: Study Reveals Critical Views and Recommendations first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

1 year ago

October 30, 2023

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

An in-depth study by the Pew Research Center took a deep dive into the experiences of Black Americans with news coverage, shedding light on critical perspectives and recommendations for more equitable representation. The survey involved 4,742 U.S. adults identifying as Black and offered an extensive and comprehensive insight into their attitudes, habits, and experiences with news and information. The findings revealed a stark divide in how Black individuals perceive news coverage of their community. “There’s not a lot of African American coverage unless it’s February or it’s criminal,” one individual stated, according to Pew. That sentiment was echoed by another respondent who stated, “They overemphasize the bad and not some of the good things that are happening in the community, or if they do talk about the good things, it’s just a blurb and they want to focus on the one thing [that] was just terrible.”

Almost two-thirds (63%) believe that news about Black people is often portrayed in a negative light compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Furthermore, a significant 57% feel that the news only focuses on specific segments of the Black community, while just 9% believe it covers a diverse range of individuals. Half of the respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the coverage, asserting that it often needs vital information, whereas only 9% believe it provides a comprehensive picture. Disturbingly, 43% claim that the coverage tends to stereotype Black individuals, contrasting starkly with the 11% who disagree. The critical views transcended age, gender, and political affiliations and painted a consistent picture of discontent.

According to the survey, 39% of Black Americans frequently encounter news that is racist or racially insensitive towards their community, while an additional 41% report occasional exposure. The respondents identified various factors contributing to this problem, including media outlets pushing agendas (51%), journalists’ lack of informed perspectives (45%), and the presence of racist views within news organizations (42%). Despite the prevailing skepticism, only 14% of Black Americans are highly confident that fair representation in news coverage will occur within their lifetimes. A notable 64% of those who have witnessed racially insensitive coverage believe that educating all journalists about issues affecting Black Americans would be an extremely or very effective way to ensure fairer coverage. “There’s less empathy, I think, for people of color, for working-class people from people who are not Black… I think they deliver the news in a way that is different than how someone who does understand our experiences would deliver the news,” another survey respondent observed, according to Pew.

Substantial percentages also advocate for including more Black voices as sources (54%) and for hiring Black individuals in leadership roles within newsrooms (53%). That echoed the call for diversification in newsrooms made over five decades ago by the 1967 Kerner Commission. These findings resonate with the observations of the 1967 Kerner Commission, which highlighted sensationalist, divisive, and inaccurate representations of Black communities in the media. The Commission emphasized the urgent need to diversify newsrooms, a call that remains relevant more than five decades later.

While many Black Americans value the perspective of Black journalists in reporting on racial issues, only 14% consider it highly important for news in general to come from Black journalists. Just 15% believe a journalist’s race is an extremely or very important factor in determining a story’s credibility, ranking below factors such as cited sources (53%), multiple outlets (50%), and the news outlet itself (46%). Diverging opinions emerged when considering the importance of racial identity among Black Americans. Those who place a high value on their Black identity expressed a significantly stronger preference for journalists who understand the historical context of stories involving Black individuals (82%). Conversely, this dropped to 55% among those who attach less importance to their racial identity.

The study also identified generational and educational divides in perceptions of Black journalists’ effectiveness. Younger Black adults, aged 18 to 29, were more likely to believe that Black journalists excel at covering issues related to race (54%) and understanding them (50%) compared to their older counterparts. Likewise, individuals with higher levels of formal education and income expressed more positive views toward the work of Black journalists.

The post Black Americans Demand Fairer News Coverage: Study Reveals Critical Views and Recommendations first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Stacy M. Brown

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Oakland Post

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org