Diversity in media was the focus of the discussion panel held Wednesday evening; Nubian Message, in conjunction with Student Media, created the free event to bring awareness and education about diversity existing in different types of media outlets.
The event featured panelists Gerald Owens, anchor from WRAL , Kelvin Jervay , publisher of The Carolinian, Pam Spaulding, blog mistress of Pam’s House Blend, John Drescher , executive editor of the News & Observer, Jon Bloom, vice president and general anager of 96.9 FM (La Ley ), and Karen Waters, editor and creator of The Triangle.
“The inspiration for creating the event was weekly meetings I had with Patrick Neal. He was interested in bringing in a more diverse set of media professionals to talk to students about different aspects of the media. From there I thought of the idea of the panel discussion, as a way for Student Media to tackle a topic that has been a big issue at N.C . State,” CJ Guion , Editor in Chief for Nubian Message, said.
Each of the panelists addressed the topic of diversity in media. Afterwards, the floor was opened for questions from the audience. News & Observer executive editor, John Drescher , began with acknowledging The Carolinian, a Triangle newspaper that has given a voice to the African American population for 73 years.
“The Carolinian is a piece of history we ought to respect and honor,” Drescher said.
The Carolinian is a third-generation newspaper was founded over seven decades ago by P.R . Jervay . Featured panelist, Kelvin Jervay , followed the path first laid by his grandfather, P.R . Jervay , and father, Paul R. Jervay Jr . Kelvin. The Carolinian continues to serve the Triangle, with a focus on the African American community.
According to many of the panelists, establishing more diversity in media was motivation to build a career in the media field. The lack of outlets for certain demographics such as the GLBT and minority community became leading factors for some of the panelists.
“Diversity was one of the single reasons I decided to get involved in this career,” Owens said.
Owens began his career through an internship at ABC’s ” Nightline ” program during Operation Desert Shield in 1990, leading to his first full-time job in television in 1993, as a reporter trainee at WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C . After reporting on sports for a short time, he eventually switched back to news after being motivated to cover important news from the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
During the discussion some questions from the audience focused on creating more diversity in the University’s student media. The panel recommended voicing the need for more students from diverse backgrounds to get involved to encourage more diverse views in the different media outlets available on campus.
“You have to reach out to the people on campus, take the initiative to get diversity. The Carolinian likes to express diversity through encouraging readers to report and write the news articles that are featured,” Jervay said.
The “Diversity in Media” panel discussion gave new insights on the current climate of media, and how there is room for more progress. The publications featured in the panel discussion are available around the Triangle for all interested in receiving diverse news outlets.
