What steps can you take to ensure your newsroom is sensitive to diverse perspectives?

1 Assess your current situation

Before you can improve your newsroom's diversity, you need to know where you stand. Conduct a self-audit of your staff, sources, content, and audience, and identify the gaps and biases that exist. You can use tools such as the Diversity Style Guide, the Journalist's Resource on Diversity, or the ASNE Newsroom Diversity Survey to help you measure and compare your performance. Be honest and transparent about your findings, and share them with your team and your readers.

2 Listen and learn from others

One of the best ways to increase your sensitivity to diverse perspectives is to listen and learn from people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and views than you. Seek out feedback and input from your colleagues, sources, experts, and community members who represent various groups and identities. Attend events, workshops, webinars, and trainings that focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in journalism. Read books, articles, podcasts, and newsletters that explore diverse topics and voices. Be open-minded and curious, and avoid making assumptions or stereotypes.

3 Diversify your staff and sources

To produce diverse stories, you need diverse storytellers. Hire, train, mentor, and promote journalists who bring different skills, perspectives, and identities to your newsroom. Ensure that they have equal opportunities, support, and recognition for their work. Also, diversify your sources and experts who appear in your stories. Use databases, networks, and organizations that can help you find and contact sources from various backgrounds and fields. Challenge yourself to go beyond your usual contacts and sources, and seek out new and underrepresented voices.

4 Be inclusive and respectful in your language and visuals

The words and images you use in your stories can have a powerful impact on how your audience perceives and relates to your content. Be inclusive and respectful in your language and visuals, and avoid terms, phrases, and images that are offensive, outdated, or inaccurate. Use the preferred names, pronouns, labels, and spellings of the people and groups you cover. Avoid generalizations, stereotypes, and clichés that can distort or oversimplify complex issues. Use diverse and authentic visuals that reflect the diversity of your subjects and audience.

6 Keep the conversation going

Diversity is not a static or fixed concept, but a dynamic and evolving one. As the world changes, so do the issues, challenges, and opportunities related to diversity. Therefore, you need to keep the conversation going in your newsroom and beyond. Encourage dialogue, debate, and collaboration among your staff, sources, and audience on diversity topics and stories. Seek out new ideas, perspectives, and solutions that can enhance your diversity and your journalism. Be humble, accountable, and willing to learn from your mistakes and successes.