The Claims of Multiculturalism and Journalism’s Promise of Diversity

Abstract

Mainstream American journalism rests on a pluralist model of democracy that conserves the status quo, essentializes culture, and trivializes diversity. A very different understanding of diversity emerges from a multiculturalist perspective that questions existing arrangements, posits a relational view of culture, and defines diversity in terms of patterns of discrimination and inequality. A case study of coverage of a local issue in the mainstream and minority press underpins a discussion of the importance of diversifying journalism by restructuring the American press. Journalism diversity matters most not only as it heightens sensitivity to cultural differences but as it strengthens the role of minority media in the struggle to achieve the social justice and political parity that a culturally diverse society demands.

“Their Deeds are the Deeds of Zimri; but They Expect a Reward Like Phineas”: Neoliberal and Multicultural Discourses in the Development of Israeli DTT Policy

“…Although “neoliberal multiculturalism” has not been used in the analysis of communicative contexts, we would argue that it could be utilized to identify a broad array of phenomena and locate their common ideological and structural sources. Thus, the token use of multiculturalism by American news organizations to conduct minor changes in hiring procedures without committing to real multicultural reform in institutional and reporting terms (Glasser, Awad, & Kim, 2009) can be seen as another communicative instance of “neoliberal multiculturalism.” Future work should consider identifying a fuller set of communicative cases that exhibit elements of neoliberal multiculturalism and encompass additional institutional and geographical arenas. It should further consider how this discourse contributes to regressive institutional outcomes that preserve the power of dominant state and corporate actors, especially in socially cleavaged societies.…”

Journalism as Kerner Turns 40: Its Multiculticultural Problems and Possibilities

“…Moreover, media also are relied upon as major resources for news and information regarding politics, given that for most people, few political events can be experienced directly (Subervi-Velez, 2008, p. 11 democratic and just society, both by these authors' assessment and within the journalistic world (of practitioners and scholars alike). In setting forth the urgency of this role's fulfillment in the present day, Glasser et al (2009) posited that first the profession will have to respond to the ''perennial warning about the eroding credibility of the press'' by looking toward the most obvious resources available to them: the Asian American Journalists' Association, National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, National Lesbian and Gay Journalists' Association, and Native American Journalists Association (p. 57). These organizations are equipped to lead mainstream journalism out of the morass of exclusion in which it continues to find itself.…”

“…As the news business shifts more of its content online, new employment opportunities open up. Still, those in charge of news making operations must be comprehensively attuned to the diverse audiences of today and tomorrow Glasser, Awad, and Kim (2009). looked to the needs of the growing multicultural nation and call for a return to pluralism and inclusion.…”

Die staat, diversiteit en die media: Enkele opmerkings oor die situasie in Suid-Afrika

“…Ten einde hierdie ideale te bereik, moet interkulturele dialoog oor grense heen bevorder word (Glasser 2009;Zayani 2011). Volgens Zayani moet sodanige dialoog nie slegs groter wedersydse begrip met betrekking tot netelige kwessies kweek nie, maar ook na maniere soek om vreedsame naasbestaan te bevorder.…”