Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1982-03-25

Duration: 00:26:43

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Journalists | NEWS | African Americans | Media | Television

Contributors:

• Sexton, Sharon Elizabeth Host
• Crump, Maxine Panelist
• Harrison, Joseph L. Panelist
• Pierre, Monica Panelist
• Ashley, Robert Panelist
• Moring, Greg Editor
• Sexton, Sharon Elizabeth Writer
• Sexton, Sharon Elizabeth Producer
• Moring, Greg Director

This episode of the series “Folks” from March 25, 1982, features a panel discussion on the role of African Americans in the media. The panelists are: Maxine Crump, a news reporter with WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge; Joseph L. Harrison of WRKF-FM in Baton Rouge; Monica Pierre, News Director for KJCB-AM, a black owned-radio station; and Robert Ashley, News Director for WXOK-AM. They discussed: the importance of remaining objective in reporting while not downplaying being an African American; having the ability to report on more stories pertinent to the African American community; the need to present themselves as role models; the feeling that many white station owners and news directors have systematically excluded media coverage of the African American community in the past; the need for black anchors and reporters to look more presentable on television; and the need for minorities to become more involved with the news media. Host: Sharon Elizabeth Sexton