Media Upheaval: Take The Lead Responds With Expanded 50 Women In Journalism Cohort
The 50 Women Can Change The World in Journalism virtual program launched recently.
The media landscape is perhaps at its most chaotic and disrupted in history with firings of top editors, resignations, furloughs, shutdowns, accusations of racism and sexism in content, coverage and workplace culture. And Take The Lead has responded.
“The #media landscape is perhaps at its most chaotic and disrupted in history, with firings of top editors, resignations, furloughs, shutdowns, and accusations of racism and sexism. #Journalism”
Anna Wintour, the legendary Vogue editor, says the magazine’s culture is by her own admission “hurtful and intolerant,” and rarely promotes black staff. The co-founder and top editor of Refinery 29, Christene Barberich, resigned after accusations of racism. The Bon Appétit editor resigned over racist allegations. Condé Nast is accused of systemic racism.
Journalist and author Farai Chideya tells CNN that the current reckoning in the media business is “a release of many decades of built up tension in newsrooms where black and other non-white employees have been just trying to do our jobs and we’re told that our news judgment was wrong or that somehow we were wrong.”
The New York Times reorganized its opinion desk, following a controversial op-ed by Tom Cotton, to which Nikole Hannah-Jones of the New York Times tweeted, “I’ll probably get in trouble for this, but to not say something would be immoral. As a black woman, as a journalist, as an American, I am deeply ashamed that we ran this.”
Arizona Foothills magazine had its own racism scandal and the publisher of the Missourian resigned after publishing a racist cartoon. Add to the list of controversial investigations ABC-TV, Philadelphia Enquirer, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Wall Street Journal. The Los Angeles Times is accused of racist practices concerning Black journalists.
Read more in Take The Lead on issues facing women in journalism
Soraya Chemaly, director of the Women's Media Center Speech Project, told CBS News, "We know that people who come forward with these stories, do it at risk to their reputations, and their earnings and they're fearful. When people do that, when they raise these stories, they give space for other people to not have to experience these things."
It is in this critical journalism environment that Take The Lead is launching its second annual 50 Women Can Change the World in Journalism cohort for an expanded number of women who will meet virtually over the course of two and half months.
“@Takeleadwomen is launching its second annual 50 Women Can Change the World in Journalism cohort which will meet virtually over the course of two and half months. #WomenInJournalism #50WomenCan”
Read more in Take The Lead on the new 50 Women Can Change The World in Journalism
Fifty-five participants include journalists from many outlets including CBS, ABC News, Nightline, CNN, CNBC, The Washington Post, Advance Local, Crain Communications, and several NPR affiliates.
“At this tumultuous time, it’s more important than ever to bring together women journalists,” says Gloria Feldt, co-founder and president of Take The Lead and the creator of 50 Women Can Change the World.
““At this tumultuous time, it’s more important than ever to bring together women journalists,” says @GloriaFeldt, co-founder and president of @Takeleadwomen. #WomenInJournalism #50WomenCan”
“The media play a vital and an essential role, especially during these times of social justice issues, the Covid-19 pandemic and a drastic economic downturn. In light of industry layoffs, increasing turmoil in newsrooms and the shuttering of press outlets, we must enable women journalists with the practical tools they need to become changemakers, increase their positions within leadership and further influence the conversation.”
Read more in Take The Lead on women leaders in journalism
With funding from Democracy Fund and the Ford Foundation, the group will gather for four virtual meetings with lessons on strategic leadership action plans, negotiation skills and interactions with guest speakers. Each participant is paired with a cohort partner for the length of the training.
“With funding from @DemocracyFund and the @FordFoundation, the group will gather for four virtual meetings with lessons on strategic #leadership action plans and negotiation skills, with guest speakers. #WomenInJournalism”
A 16-member advisory team provided recommendations for selection during the robust application process, with a deliberate intention to create and develop a diverse and inclusive group.
“Our top priority is diversity in the cohort so that these women can work openly and honestly on the major challenges facing our industry,” says Take The Lead Lead Instructor and Leadership Ambassador Fara Warner.
““Our top priority is #diversity in the cohort so that these women can work openly and honestly on the major challenges facing our industry,” says @Takeleadwomen Lead Instructor and Leadership Ambassador @Farawarner. ”
“More than 50 percent of the cohort are women of color and we have made certain that local news organizations are represented, not just the traditional media power centers on the Coasts. We also focused on a broad range of media types and leadership levels,” Warner says.
““More than 50 percent of the cohort are #woc and we have made certain that local news organizations are represented, not just the traditional media power centers on the Coasts,” @Farawarner says. #50WomenCan #Diversity”
That representation is not seen in American newsrooms.
According to the American Society of News Editors 2019 Diversity Survey, “Women make up 41.8 percent of newsroom workers (in both print/digital and online-only newsrooms) in this year’s survey, up from 41.6 percent last year. Overall, people of color represent 21.9 percent of the salaried workforce among newsrooms that responded to the survey.”
Following a successful 2019 program, the 2020 program will be run by Feldt; Warner; co-trainer Patricia Jerido, MSW, executive coach and lead strategist, Leadership Matters Consulting; and journalism advisor and 2019 cohort member Carla Murphy, a social justice journalist and editorial consultant for organizations including News Integrity Initiative and Center for Community.
Read more in Take The Lead on Women Do News
“I’m beyond thrilled to join this cohort and connect with a group of women who share my passion for the journalism industry,” says Elana Zak, senior programing editor, CNN Business. “Our field is facing immense change and I’m ready to learn from and inspire others on ways we can help journalism become a stronger, more inclusive space.”
““I’m beyond thrilled to join this cohort and connect with a group of women who share my passion for the #journalism industry,” says @Elanazak, senior programing editor, @CNNBusiness. #50WomenCan”
Joanne Griffith, the managing editor of California Newsroom and a 2020 cohort member, adds, “The news business is in a moment of close examination, and for journalism leaders, it’s time to look at ourselves and figure out how – collectively and individually – we make real change. Take The Lead is the right opportunity at the right time to take a step back and examine my own place in all of this and be a part of the solutions going forward.”
““For #journalism leaders, it’s time to look at ourselves and figure out how – collectively and individually – we make real change. @Takeleadwomen is the right opportunity,” says @Globaljourno, managing editor of California Newsroom. #50WomenCan ”
A recent study showed overwhelmingly positive results for Take The Lead’s inaugural 50 Women Can Change the World in Journalism program.
“A recent study by @DotCoStudio showed overwhelmingly positive results for @Takeleadwomen ‘s inaugural 50 Women Can Change the World in Journalism program. #CareerGrowth #LeadershipTraining ”
Read more on the report on 50 Women Can Change The World in Journalism
According to the report, conducted by Dot Connector Studio, all the members of the 2019 class recommended the program. For many, taking the course led to tangible career advancement, including raises, promotions, job changes, leadership responsibilities and other career advancement markers. Members also reported valuable collaboration among participants, with collective impact stretching beyond the program. Many participants credited the connections they made as one of the training’s most powerful aspects.
“For many, #50WomenCan in Journalism led to tangible #careeradvancement, including raises, promotions, job changes, #leadership responsibilities and other career advancement markers.”
Read more in Take The Lead on the first 50 Women Can Change The World In Journalism
“The 50 Women Can program is a rare chance to meet other leaders in the industry who are going through similar transitions, challenges and work toward building a community,” says Leezel Tanglao, senior editor of membership and innovation, HuffPost, who participated in the 2019 program.
“You can’t underestimate the power of having a powerful cohort of women who are always ready to learn and help each other. It’s just a confirmation that there is strength in numbers.”
““You can’t underestimate the power of having a powerful cohort of #women who are always ready to learn and help each other,” says @Leezeltanglao, senior editor of membership and innovation @HuffPost and 2019 program alumn. ”
