Press & Sun-Bulletin, Binghamton, N.Y.

DIVERSITY INDEX 50,001 to 75,000 CIRCULATION  [Chart]

Calvin Stovall
Executive Editor
Press & Sun-Bulletin, Binghamton, N.Y.
 
Please describe your approach to increasing diversity in your newsroom. I stress to managers that people of color must not only be among the journalists we recruit; they also must have the experience and potential to be among the finalists and be the people we hire. It is important to work with corporate recruiters in your company and network with others in the industry to develop a reputation as an editor who stresses the importance of diversity and ensures that journalists of color are given opportunities to succeed. I network with people of color in the industry and continue to take time to mentor young journalists inside and outside my company.
 
What is the toughest obstacle to success and how have you worked to overcome it? One of the toughest obstacles to improving diversity in staffing is that the pool of journalists of color is not growing to meet the needs of increasingly diverse markets, creating stiff competition especially for newspapers in places that are not considered attractive locations. I have tried to overcome this obstacle by developing relationships with people who know candidates, who will vouch for my newspaper as a place where managers have a candidate’s best interest at heart, by including journalists of color in training and decision-making and by encouraging students to pursue journalism careers. 
 
What are the benefits/paybacks of greater diversity? Diversity helps you do better journalism and improves your credibility. The depth and sophistication of your work will improve because people from different walks of life will offer different perspectives that can be included in news coverage. You also will build audience and respect because people notice your work and tell others that the newspaper is inclusive and represents its community.
 
How does greater diversity in your newsroom affect content? Greater diversity in staffing helps you broaden your coverage because you have more people from different backgrounds and interests who can suggest ways to improve stories, warn that a seemingly harmless photo or an illustration may be viewed as offensive and help demonstrate your commitment to inclusion. You must make it understood that you expect meaningful contributions from everyone. To not tap diversity of knowledge, experiences and thoughts in your newsroom is robbing your readers of valuable information.
 
Please cite one example of a story that was impacted by diversity in your newsroom. A reporter learned that some African-American students entrenched in their studies have to cope with some other African-American kids calling them “white” for trying so hard to advance academically. The reporter and some editors — all of whom in the discussion are white — were very excited about this as a story idea. An African-American editor pointed out that this is not really a new occurrence and that it has happened for years probably in our community as it has in others. The point led to a discussion that some African-Americans will look at the story as old news and perhaps as another story that has a negative spin about people of color. The story idea was adjusted to focus more on how African-American students are finding ways to succeed while sometimes facing socioeconomic obstacles as well as peer pressure from other kids.
 
What advice do you have for editors seeking to improve diversity in their newsrooms? Editors must lead the effort. They must demonstrate to others that they believe in diversity in their hearts, that they are not trying to be politically correct and win points with their bosses or larger MBO bonuses, that they believe that diverse viewpoints are important to practicing good journalism. They must appropriately praise and reward those who help further diversification of staff and find ways to engage those who don’t get it. They must create an environment in which diversity is valued and a part of the culture. They must make sure diversity remains a priority even when our plates overflow with new initiatives.
 

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