Thursday, May 6, 2010
Media Matters: Deseret News, Now Gentile Free
Posted By Josh Loftin on May 6, 2010, 2:01 PM
The Deseret News makes a strong statement about diversity: it sucks.---
At the end of this week, the Deseret News will have an entirely white,
male and Mormon editing staff for their news desk. The last remaining
non-Mormon editor, Brice Wallace, will return to working as a business
reporter and former business editor and current assignment editor Greg
Kratz will take over the business team.
Wallace has officially been the interim business editor, but has held
the position for almost 15 months. So he's an interim editor like Gov.
Gary Herbert is an interim governor.
Before dismissing this shift as business-as-usual for the LDS
Church-owned Deseret News, understand that just over a year ago the
seven-person editing corps on City Desk -- the department where the
news and business reporters work -- included two women and four
non-Mormons. (Disclaimer: I was one of those non-Mormon editors, but
not one of the women editors).
When asked about it Wednesday before a carnivorous meal of roasted
meat, City Editor Tad Walch cringed and said that he hopes the current
lack of diversity changes soon. So, at least, words are being spoken
that suggest diversity is desired. But actions, in this case, probably
speak louder. After all, having an editing staff of faithful Mormons is
closer to Editor-in-Chief Joe Cannon's "More Mormon" utopia. It may
also fit into uber-boss Mark Willes' long-term plans, if only I could
actually understand what the hell Willes is attempting to do (outside
of consolidating control of everything in the Mormon business empire
under him, a strategy that worked incredibly well for him at the L.A.
Times).
To be fair, all of the editors at the Deseret News are experienced
editors ... well, all of the editors outside of Joe Cannon. They are
good journalists with solid ethical foundations, and their religious
affiliation does not lessen their skills. But it cannot be ignored that
they are all of one faith, one gender and one skin color. It sets a
tone for the rest of the staff, and reinforces the perception --
publicly and, more and more, within the newspaper -- that it is a
newspaper by faithful Mormons and for faithful Mormons.
More by Josh Loftin
-
Smoking Help, Farm Taxes & Gallivan Skating
Apparently, Salt Lake City officials believe that a premium price is justified for a small, outdoor rink with an ambiance that includes construction noise and heavy equipment ...
- Dec 1, 2010
-
Amendment Madness, Free Legal Aid & Lobbyist Influence
U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah, plans to propose an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would allow states to veto an action ...
- Nov 24, 2010
-
Anti-affirmative action, TSA Protest & Federal $$
Legislators look to stop affirmative action. Jason Chaffetz still hates body scanners, but doesn't want to protest them in airports. And Utah legislators hate federal money a little bit less after elections.
- Nov 17, 2010
- More »
Latest in Buzz Blog
