Current (https://current.org/series/diversity/)
Mike Janssen, Digital Editor | Our webinar featured Whitney Maddox, NPR’s DEI manager, and Kim Salvaggio, chief DEI officer at Rocky Mountain Public Media.
Julian Wyllie, Reporter | The network said that in fiscal year 2021, 51% of its nationally programmed prime-time schedule “included diverse on-screen talent; was produced, written or directed by diverse makers; and/or explored diversity-related topics.”
Almost every public media organization is prioritizing diversity. Yet beyond hiring, what are the next steps for content strategy?
Leigh Giangreco, Freelance Contributor | “When you’re at home, how do you engage in difference?” asks Byron Green, who joined PRX in April 2021. “How do you engage across differences at large?”
Leigh Giangreco, Freelance Contributor | NPR’s SAG-AFTRA union issued a mixed progress report this month on its demands for addressing diversity issues within the network.
Julian Wyllie, Reporter | The end of an employee council focused on DEI issues has lessened friction within the station. But former members say areas such as pay transparency haven’t been addressed.
Tyler Falk, Reporter | Stations that signed on to the Public Media for All campaign have made progress in DEI work, but not without tackling internal challenges.
Julian Wyllie, Reporter | Yemisi Oloruntola-Coates began her time with the Boston station by holding “really intensive listening sessions” with over 200 people.
Leigh Giangreco, Freelance Contributor | The CPB funds are allowing participating stations to expand management training that wasn’t previously possible with tight budgets.
Media organizations including New York Public Radio have joined the BBC’s 50:50 Project, which is expanding beyond gender to track race and ethnicity.
“We get to learn from our guests as much as listeners do.”
Ben Morse, Former Editorial Intern | Colorado Public Radio and KOSU in Oklahoma are participating in the Rural News Network, a new initiative from the Institute for Nonprofit News.
The station began offering news in French, Spanish, Somali and Portuguese to deliver public service information amid the pandemic.
Gabe Ferris, Former Editorial Intern | The goal for “Hawai‘i Kulāiwi” is “to help the audience just see Hawaii the way that Hawaiians do,” says Paige Okamura, known to listeners as “DJ Mermaid.”
Ben Morse, Former Editorial Intern | Created in the wake of the Atlanta shootings, “Where Y’all Really From” became the station’s fastest-growing podcast.