For the past five years, the McCormick Tribune Foundation has convened a multicultural group of accomplished print and broadcast executives for conversations and workshops aimed at helping the media become more diverse. The discussions have focused on the ongoing, if elusive, goal of achieving greater ethnic and gender balance in the industry.
The fact that the MTV and iPod generations have not exactly warmed to newspapers, newsmagazines and traditional broadcast-news outlets weighs heavily on the minds of modern media executives. Many are straining under the pressure to deal with the graying of the audience for news, yet no one seems sure what the most effective strategy is for confronting this trend.
In their effort to address the issue, this year's corps of McCormick Tribune Fellows examined the contemporary media landscape with an eye toward developing novel vehicles to win over young consumers and retain talented young media employees - particularly those of color - who might help in the crusade.
This report revolves around a survey and discussion of the views of young minority journalists and managers and their views about their companies' ability to reach their peers and younger audiences. It includes ideas on how to connect with young people and provide them news and information.