ABC News' evaluation: Diversity is a priority

USA Today ^ | 2/18/02 | Peter Johnson

[GeneD]

ABC News has compiled a database of 480 people -- all minorities -- to turn to for on-air or taped comments. Employees have been told evaluations will be based in part on how many of these sources they call.

''The goal here is to make sure that when we are seeking experts outside the news division to help explain stories we're working on, we include in the group we're considering a wide variety of possibilities, rather than simply going back to the same, limited group,'' ABC News president David Westin wrote in an e-mail to staffers Jan. 19.

[SunStar]

''We're proud of our efforts to try to reflect the great diversity in our country.''

Sure... We believe you. This country has 95% liberals, and 5% conservatives, right?

[Grampa Dave]

Diversity = code for Perversity/Perversion = why TV news is so biased = why ABCCBSCNNNBC phoney diversity/perversity news is being rejected by more consumers each day!

[Down South]

Sadly, the Only view of Diversity that they have is in Racial/Gender diversity, not Representative Ideological Diversity.

MLK Jr's dream was for society where we are judged by our ideas and values, not by our race, gender, etc. Instead, the Liberals in charge now think we should be judged solely based on our race/gender, and not on the important parts, our ideas and ethics.

[Howlin]

Maybe you can help me out.......I looked and looked, but I didn't find the words "REPORTING THE ACTUAL FACTS" in this article.

Whatever happened to THEM.

[gaspar]

Westin (remember his comments on the Pentagon attack?) has to be the most idiotic news chief going. And with Ted Turner around that is saying something.

[Still Thinking]

ABC News has compiled a database of 480 people -- all minorities -- to turn to for on-air or taped comments. "Diversity is very important to this news division and company, both in front of and behind the camera," says ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider. "We're proud of our efforts to try to reflect the great diversity in our country."

If they're so freakin' diverse, how did they manage to forget white people on the must-call list??

[Still Thinking]

On second thought, I guess I shouldn't complain. If they actually did call someone white, and that person had the guts to speak their mind, it would of course just be "hate speech" anyway.

[kidd]

ABC News has compiled a database of 480 people -- all minorities -- to turn to for on-air or taped comments. Employees have been told evaluations will be based in part on how many of these sources they call.

No wonder ABC is dead last in the ratings. I wonder if this list includes Alan Keyes. Condi Rice. Clarence Thomas. You know, intelligent people - who just happen to be a minority.

[umgud]

They are pandering. If they truly wanted diversity, they would fire their staff and rehire from all the appropriate groups to become diverse.

[denydenydeny]

In David Westin's world, he has "no opinion" on whether the Pentagon is a legitimate military target.

But diversity? Plenty of (positive) opinions on that.

[neutrino]

Well, gee, gosh. They're just not diverse enough. I know! Let's insist that all the anchor women wear moslem clothing - burqas (spelling?), veils, and so forth! And the anchor men can all dress like talibums. They can even grow beards!

They'd only refuse if, deep down, they're racist bigots! (Maybe even closet Christians!!!).

How's about it, ABC/CBS/NBC/CNN? Celebrate diversity!

(/bitter sarcasm)

[SouthCarolinaKit]

Thank you, Mr Westin. You are racist and anti-diversity if you select only minorities. You must also be pretty stupid if you don't know the meaning of diversity. What you're selecting is not diverse.

[Las Vegas Dave]

bttt....