VANCOUVER – With the goal of encouraging greater diversity in news reporting, a new database launched today by CHUM Limited offers media unprecedented access to over 300 experts from diverse communities.
Diversity Online, diversity.chumtv.com, is a free online database providing all media with direct access to over 300 "dynamic and articulate subject experts representing diverse communities from every province and territory including: Aboriginal peoples, visible minorities, women, gay and lesbian people, youth and people with disabilities," says today’s press release.
According to the 2001 Census, there are almost four million visible minorities living in Canada, making up 13.4% of the population. Statistics Canada projects that this number will increase to approximately 20% by 2016. Diversity Online aims to help give a greater voice and presence to visible and other minority groups in Canadian news reporting.
“Diversity Online will be an invaluable resource for Canadian media,” said Prem Gill, director of multicultural programming and public affairs at Citytv Vancouver. “The web site instantly broadens the scope and depth of news reporting across the country by providing fresh voices and new perspectives on stories concerning all Canadians.”
“By providing access to new experts from diverse communities, Diversity Online addresses a recommendation made in the Canadian Association of Broadcasters’ Task Force on Cultural Diversity (2004), and the Association’s 2005 report on Presence, Portrayal and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Television Programming,” added Sarah Crawford, CHUM Limited’s vice-president, public affairs.
In January 2005 the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) launched its own comprehensive diversity initiative to improve the reflection of the full diversity of Canada in news programming.
“We applaud CHUM’s efforts with their Diversity Online database,” said Terry Scott, RTNDA Canada president. “This is precisely the kind of resource that will be of great assistance to news professionals across the country.”
The easy-to-use Diversity Online database contains experts in the following areas of interest: arts & culture, business, community, education, government, health, religion, science, sports & recreation and technology. The site features comprehensive personal biographies for each potential spokesperson, along with details on their particular area of expertise.
The database was developed with At Large Media, which interviewed all of the individuals listed and consulted with many groups around the country for additional recommendations. Candidates interested in being featured on Diversity Online may be sponsored by others, or choose to submit their own names on the website for consideration.
All candidates are screened and interviewed prior to being posted online.
A comprehensive and insightful media training centre offering tips to potential interview subjects is an additional feature on the Diversity Online web site.
