Organization Calls for More Specifics on Black Employment

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) applauds Gannett, the owner of USA TODAY and over 260 local news platforms and publications, on its announced commitment to make the company’s workforce “as diverse as America” by 2025.

Information about the commitment was posted here on USA Today’s website last week, and also includes an overview of the company’s plans to “add or reassign journalists to 60 newly created beats by the end of the year in a concerted effort to enhance coverage of topics such as criminal justice, educational inequity, the roots of racism, environmental justice, fairness in housing and employment, and LGBTQ issues.”

“Gannett’s stated goals, if achieved, can serve as a powerful example to media companies of the urgency of making diversity and inclusion a priority and creating new job opportunities in the process,” said NABJ President Dorothy Tucker. “Gannett’s president was right in stating that ‘diversity and inclusion are choices, not just words.’ NABJ looks forward to working with Gannett and other news organizations to effect these types of changes across the industry as soon as possible. Our newsrooms must reflect the people they serve and the diverse voices that make our communities thrive now.”

USA Today Network newspapers from around the country publicly shared their newsroom demographics last week to document areas of growth and areas of improvement. However, NABJ calls on Gannett and the network to be more specific about the number of Black staffers in each job category. NABJ encourages Gannett and all publications and platforms to commit to hiring more Black managers in leadership roles. 

“We call on Gannett and other companies to clearly state their goals regarding employing and promoting more Black journalists,” Tucker said.

With a presence in 47 states, Gannett has reported that:

• Women make up 46% of its workforce.
• Black, Indigenous and people of color only make up 22% of its workforce. 
• In its news division: 41% of its journalists are female and only 18% are Black, Indigenous and people of color. 
• At USA TODAY, women make up 48% of the newsroom and Black, Indigenous and people of color make up a little over 30% of its staff