The role of journalists
Let me start out by saying that radio talker Don Imus is a jerk.
Having said that, I'm a little troubled why the National Association of Black Journalists has decided that it's their place to call for his firing.
The National Association of Black Journalists, the editor-in-chief of Essence magazine and a New York sports columnist joined the chorus against Imus.
"What he has said has deeply hurt too many people -- black and white, male and female," said NABJ President Bryan Monroe. "His so-called apology comes two days after the fact, and it is too little, too late."
I don't mind Al Sharpton condemning Imus. I don't mind Jesse Jackson condemning Imus. I don't mind the NAACP condemning Imus. Or just about any other group out there condeming Imus -- except an organization of journalists, whatever their color.
What sort of a position does it put the NABJ in when, say six months from now, when one of its members interviews Imus on some totally unrelated story? It'd be one thing if Imus was a journalist -- but he isn't.
Unfortunately, the NABJ has sacrificed some of the J so that they can get their names in the paper because of the B.
Journalism. Wound. Self-inflicted.
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[...] Following on last week’s questionable call by the National Association of Black Journalists to insert itself into the Don Imus controversy, the Asian American Journalists Association decides to make jerks of themselves. As coverage of the Virginia Tech shooting continues to unfold, AAJA urges all media to avoid using racial identifiers unless there is a compelling or germane reason. There is no evidence at this early point that the race or ethnicity of the suspected gunman has anything to do with the incident, and to include such mention serves only to unfairly portray an entire people. [...]