Current (https://current.org/series/diversity/page/2/)

Special coverage: Diversity in public media

Public broadcasting has a unique role in U.S. media as a source of noncommercial educational programs. For decades it has aspired to represent American life in all of its diversity. Public media have many ways to include new voices and reach underserved audiences as demographic and technological changes reshape the field. Yet determined leaders and risk-takers who share an even broader conception of public service call for a sharper focus and commitment to a bolder vision of public media’s future.

System/Policy

Drive for diversity demands courage, commitment

By Joseph Tovares | July 21, 2016

“This is about more than just the bottom line,” says CPB’s Joseph Tovares.

Programs/Content

Dig deeper: Tips for covering complexities of race relations

By The Aspen Institute | July 21, 2016

A report offers recommendations for journalists looking to produce comprehensive and inclusive coverage of racial issues.

Programs/Content

To diversify its audience, Nevada’s KUNR goes bilingual

By Mike Janssen, Digital Editor | January 11, 2019

The Reno station has sharpened its focus on serving a Latino audience by posting some news coverage in both English and Spanish.

Programs/Content

With two hosts at helm, ‘The Takeaway’ aims for depth and urgency in covering race and politics

By Jill Goldsmith, Contributing Editor | January 8, 2019

Tanzina Vega and Amy Walter tackle topics in ways that feel “like a much more open conversation.”

Programs/Content

Public radio’s efforts to track source diversity seen as path to addressing ‘deep problem’

By April Simpson, Former Associate Editor | August 16, 2018

KUT in Austin, Texas, along with Philadelphia’s WHYY, Seattle’s KUOW and San Francisco’s KQED, are all engaged in efforts to gather and analyze data on their sourcing in news reports or show segments.

Programs/Content

With systemwide coverage review, public radio can reveal and address its racial inequities

By Jennifer Dargan, John S. Knight Journalism Fellow (Stanford University) | May 7, 2018

Do public radio stations know how their communities perceive their coverage? Are we willing to find out?

Programs/Content

CPB grant seeks to foster diversity in public radio newsrooms

By Tyler Falk, Reporter | June 23, 2017

The four stations collaborating on the project will each hire a new reporter.

Programs/Content

Producers find Localore events help bridge divides

By April Simpson, Former Associate Editor | April 26, 2017

An AIR report argues that live events are important to public media to raise awareness and support and find crucial voices that may be missing from reporting.

Diversity in Public Media

‘In the Life’: Everywhere their cameras go, they seem to find gay people

By Steve Behrens, Former Editor | April 14, 1997

‘In the Life’ is approaching its fifth anniversary on public TV, aired on more than 90 transmitters and rejected for twice as many.