Let’s face it: even in the “good old days” when mainstream local news media were flush with advertising revenue, covering poor communities was never a consistent priority. Newspapers, with their larger newsgathering staffs, have historically done a better job than local TV news, but these days there isn’t much difference. News about poor communities is most often driven by press releases and events such as violent crime, rather than a larger context for what everyday life is like in these neighborhoods.

Mary Lou Fulton (March 9, 2010)

One of the most historic censuses in US history is four months away. The major theme of this census: The historic racial-ethnic changes in the 21st century.

The 2010 Census story, now well underway, will continue through May 2011 and beyond. I suggest that news organizations create a three-part coverage plan:

I. The count, from now to July 2010; II. The winners and losers, December 2010 to May 2011; III. The children, April 2011 into the future.

Bobbi Bowman (January 12, 2010)

If all I knew about African Americans was what I learned from the media, I might sound like Rush Limbaugh too.

Last week, Limbaugh demonstrated that he does not have his finger on the pulse of the black community by announcing that the triple threat of high black unemployment, the fact that Tiger Woods’ bad behavior was played out with a host of white women and President Obama’s inability to specifically address the high rate of black unemployment has wrecked havoc with our emotional health.

Dori J. Maynard (December 16, 2009)

Ms. Mansoor, are you a terrorist? Ms. Mansoor is quiet in class. Ms. Mansoor comes from an Arab country. She is technically an “ESL Student” at our University. That means, she is not yet 100 percent fluid in her ability to write the English required of a university-level student of Freshman Rhetoric&Composition. “No,” she says -- quietly. But Ms. Mansoor – you’re a Muslim – right? “Yes,” she says.

Mary Ann Hogan (12/24/2009)

The nation seems to be stumbling toward some kind of “health care reform” but when the dust settles I can’t help but wondering if all Americans will be able to afford health insurance, an issue that seems to be missing from the avalanche coverage.

Jean Marie Brown (12/09/2009)

The account of a Richmond, CA teenager reportedly beaten, robbed and gang raped outside of her high school during the homecoming party has spread across the local and national news.

Please join us in a thoughtful and respectful conversation on how the reporting succeeded and where it could have been improved. Our goal is not to criticize the reporters, but to help all of us find ways to better and more accurately cover issues across the fault lines.

Dori J. Maynard (November 02, 2009)