For all the emphasis by TNG-CWA members on improving workplace diversity, the reality-as measured by the American Society of Newspaper Editors -is that newsrooms are becoming more monochromatic, not less. According to ASNE’s annual survey, the percentage of minority journalists working in daily newsrooms slipped this year for only the second time since 1978, to 13.62%. ASNE’s goal has been to increase minority representation until it mirrors society at large-which is now 33% non-white. Other indicators in the ASNE survey also are slipping into reverse. Minorities account for only 10.9% of all newsroom supervisors, reverting to a level reached two years ago. Meanwhile, the number of newspapers with no minorities at all on their newsroom staffs increased to 392, from 377 last year. Guild-represented newspapers by-and-large had better minority representation than the average, but none except those in Hawaii met or exceeded the 33% threshold. The San Jose Mercury News came closest, at 32.2%, although recent layoffs may have driven that percentage lower. Other newspapers with notable percentages include the Sacramento Bee, 30.3%; Fresno Bee, 26.2%; Washington Post, 23.7%; Seattle Times, 22.2%; and the Philadelphia Daily News and Inquirer, 21.6% and 20.1%, respectively. On the […]