The Columbia Missourian, KOMU-TV and KBIA-FM Policy Statement

Missouri Journalism Undergraduate Program    [Full Index]

The Columbia Missourian, KOMU and KBIA are dedicated to full and fair coverage of the news, whether international, national, regional or local. Our intent is to report the news without bias, without favor, without intimidation and without callous disregard of the impact of our reporting.

In keeping with those goals, the Missourian, KOMU and KBIA recognize that in a democratic society all segments of the population should have the opportunity to be heard. It is our intention to provide a forum for the views of the under-covered groups as well as the favored.

To do so, we shall work to avoid:

1. Avoid stereotyping in our news reports. Labeling that is racist or sexist in fact or in connotation will not be allowed. Labeling that demeans others (the elderly or people with disabilities, for example) will similarly be banned. Editors and reporters will be reminded of this policy frequently, and internal monitoring mechanisms will be implemented to ensure compliance with this directive.
   
   
2. Avoid casual mentions of race, sex, religion or age except when pertinent. No mention should be made of a person's race, sex, religion, sexual orientation or age unless it is germane to a story. If the police issue a description of a suspect still at large, and the description is detailed enough that someone could make an identification from it, it may be appropriate to include racial identification. Race may also be pertinent in stories about racial conflict.
   
   
3. Aggressively cover news of and about under-covered groups. We recognize that the majority has little trouble disseminating its views and positions. Under-covered groups may not be in a similar position. With that in mind, we are committed to covering these groups as fully and extensively as our resources allow. This will include active efforts to develop a variety of new sources among under-covered groups.
   
   
4. Monitor and evaluate coverage of under-covered groups on a regular basis. We shall establish external advisory boards to monitor our coverage and to advise us on ways to improve that coverage.

We recognize that to do these things well we must first create an atmosphere in our own newsrooms in which a variety of views, including divergent ones, is encouraged. We shall do so within the context of our significant public service roles, which demand clear and concise communication.

Toward that end, we shall:

1. Regularly and systematically solicit the opinion of those staff members who are members of under-covered groups. We are fortunate to have reporters and editors of different sexes, races, religions, sexual orientation and political beliefs. We encourage discussion of differing views of and approaches to the coverage of news. We believe in actively soliciting the opinions of all groups.
   
   
2. Encourage non-American staffers to share with us their views of the American press and the press systems in their own nations. The Missourian, KOMU and KBIA are fortunate to have staff members who are born in other countries and may have perspectives different from those of Americans. We are committed to an exchange of ideas and cultural heritage that will be mutually beneficial. It is our intention to make international students feel comfortable and welcome in our midst.
   
   
3. Eliminate nationalistic, racist, sexist and other forms of demeaning remarks in our newsrooms. We recognize that ethnic, sexist and other insensitive remarks can be damaging to the environment in which we work. We are committed to eradicating all such remarks, whether said in seriousness or jest, from the work place.
   
   
4. Attempt to fill staff and media assistant positions with qualified women and minorities. We recognize the importance of the perspective such applicants can offer if hired in positions of responsibility in our newsrooms.
   
   
5. Make assignments that avoid stereotyping and offer students opportunities for broadening their horizons.
   
   
6. Attempt to provide all students with realistic professional experiences within the capabilities of our media operations. In the broadcast newsrooms, we recognize that the news directors are responsible for the sound of airwork during local newscasts. We realize that not every student will necessarily be on the air, but we pledge to make sure that each student is given ample opportunity to audition for on-air work. The managing editor and news director will audition each student at the beginning of his or her first semester in the newsroom. Periodic air checks will continue throughout the student's time in the newsroom. Criteria for air work will include clarity of diction; enunciation and elocution; well-modulated pitch and tone; lack of lisp, hiss, stutter, thickly accented speech or distracting mannerisms; correct inflection; and interpretation of delivery. The news director will provide ample opportunity for auditions and air checks. At the Missourian, as well as in the broadcast newsrooms, we will offer help to international students as they overcome problems of language and culture.

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