As CNN saw our growth in African-American viewership, they affirmed a fundamental truth of news coverage - people will watch you if they see themselves in what you report. It doesn't hurt if the people doing the reporting look like them, too.
Interpretation
Diverse representation in media can enhance audience engagement and connection.
In this quote, Soledad O'Brien emphasizes the importance of representation in news media. She asserts that when viewers see themselves reflected in the stories and faces of reporters, they are more likely to engage with the coverage. This highlights a broader truth in media: diversity among those who report the news can lead to increased viewership and a more authentic portrayal of the community's experiences and perspectives.
In practice
In a panel discussion about the representation of minorities in media.
I don't think journalism changes. It's about digging into stories and telling them well. The basic tenets of great reporting stay the same while things around it change. Technology has made reporting easier, but it has also caused job loss. Social media has increased discussion around topics, but it has its own challenges at times.
I think television's become a downright dangerous thing. It has no moral barometer whatsoever. If you want to talk about something that is all about money, just watch the television.
Even the reporting of news has to be understood not as propaganda for any particular ideology, liberal or conservative, but as propaganda for commodities — for the replacement of things by commodities, use values by exchange values, and events by images.
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events. More important, we need to provide a platform for Arab voices.
The news as entertainment is the real danger, because the truth or accuracy of what it is reporting becomes irrelevant.
The reporting of news has to be understood as propaganda for commodities, and events by images.
I suppose popularity is measured by ratings. If a broadcaster is known as the leader because of ratings, then that's where people most want to be seen and heard, so there's no question that there's an advantage.
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