By: E&P Staff The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) says the McClatchy Co. and Knight Ridder Inc. have two of the best records on diversity in the industry, but it will still watch carefully to see what effect the $6.5 billion sale will have on its members.
"McClatchy has been recognized as an industry leader in diversity and NABJ hopes that record will only continue to improve," Ernie Suggs, NABJ's vice president/print, said in a statement. "However, if we begin to see any erosion in that commitment, we will be there to put them on notice."
Suggs, a reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said more than 100 NABJ members are employed by Knight Ridder, including NABJ's current president, Bryan Monroe, the chain's assistant vice president for news. Former NABJ board member Larry Olmstead is the company's vice president for staff development and diversity.
A Knight Foundation analysis of newspaper industry diversity numbers last year said McClatchy had the third-highest representation of journalists of color in its newsroom, behind Gannett and Knight Ridder.
"It is our hope that that commitment expands with this historic acquisition," Suggs said.
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