Letter From NABJ to Mediate, Regarding the Lack of Journalists of Color Among Influential Reporters

November 27, 2012

Today NABJ sent the following letter to Mediate Editor Dan Abrams in reference to the lack of journalists of color on Mediate's Most Influential Media Reporters' List, released earlier this month.

Dear Mr. Abrams:

We, the board of the National Association of Black Journalists are concerned over Mediaite's story about the 13 most influential media reporters. It is distressing that Mediaite could not find one African American, or, in fact, any people of color, to include in its list of most influential media reporters.

NABJ advocates on behalf of our members for jobs, promotions and fair coverage of communities of color. To that end, we hope you recognize the importance of diversity in the coverage of how media organizations go about their work. Regretfully, it appears that sufficient efforts weren't undertaken to ensure this list reflected the work of diverse voices.

Two members of the National Association Black Journalists (NABJ) have been writing columns about the media for years: Richard Prince of the Maynard Institute, who "Journalisms" is a national column; and Eric Deggans, who writes about television for the Tampa Bay Times. Both would have been obvious additions to the list. 

To be clear, NABJ is not saying you should have included Mr. Prince and Mr. Deggans because they are African American.

We're saying they should have been included because they are two of the best media reporters in the country."

We hope in the future that Mediaite will take care to be inclusive in compiling such a list. 

Sincerely,

Mr. Gregory H. Lee Jr.

President

National Association of Black Journalists