inclusion / inclusivity
Last updatedWhat to know
Inclusion is about valuing and respecting perspectives and interests of historically underserved groups through a process of examining policies, culture, and practices and making changes. Inclusivity in journalism can look like using gender-neutral language, featuring people (experts and non-experts) from a wide array of backgrounds, and ensuring stories about historically underserved groups do not only center on trauma. It also involves combating stereotypes, including with image choice; many news outlets, for instance, were criticized for using photos of Asian people wearing masks on early stories about the coronavirus pandemic, even when the photos had no connection to the events described in the news stories. See the Language, Please editorial tools for more resources.
Additional resources
- Racial Equity Tools Glossary (Racial Equity Tools)
- Glossary of Terms: Race, Equity and Social Justice (International City/County Management Association)
- Diversity and Inclusion Definitions (Ferris State University)
- Inclusive Language Terminology (Texas Tech University)
- Diversity and Inclusion Definitions (US Department of Housing and Urban Development)
Summary
Inclusion is sharing power by bringing historically underserved groups into processes and decision-making. Inclusivity in journalism can look like using gender-neutral language, featuring people (experts and non-experts) from a wide array of backgrounds, and ensuring stories about historically underserved groups do not only center on trauma.