How Racism and Sexism Killed Traditional Media: Why the Future of Journalism Depends on Women and People of Color

An evaluative examination that challenges the media to rise above the systematic racism and sexism that persists across all channels, despite efforts to integrate.

The Internet and social networks have opened up new avenues of communication for women and people of color, but the mainstream news is still not adequately including minority communities in the conversation. Part of the Racism in America series, How Racism and Sexism Killed the Traditional Media: Why the Future of Journalism Depends on Women and People of Color reveals the lack of diversity that persists in the communication industry. Uncovering and analyzing the racial bias in the media and in many newsrooms, this book reveals the lesser-known side of the media-newsrooms and outlets that are often fraught with underlying racist and sexist tension.

Written by a veteran journalist of color, this title brings an insider’s perspective combined with interviews from industry experts. The book analyzes the traditional media’s efforts to integrate both women and people of color into legacy newsrooms, highlighting their defeats and minor successes. The author examines the future of women and people of color in the mainstream media.

Gives a thorough background on the history of minority-produced media

Highlights ideas for improving hiring practices and coverage for minorities

Identifies the growing number of news consumers who are people of color

Provides a chronology of diversity efforts in legacy newsrooms

Includes material derived from interviews with experts like Dori J. Maynard with the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education and veteran journalists like Ellis Cose and Danyel Smith