From polarizing Supreme Court decisions on abortion and affirmative action to the alarming rise in race- and religion-based hate speech, the need for a free and fair press that can speak truth to power is more urgent than ever. Given that many of these politically charged topics disproportionately impact people of color and other historically marginalized groups, how can we ensure that their voices and concerns are centered in the news and analyses we read, listen to, and watch? In this session, panelists will discuss DEAI efforts in the media, highlighting the challenges and progress being made in an industry that influences everyday narratives and sits at the very heart of protecting democracy.

Panel Moderator: Gabrielle Gayagoy Gonzalez, Marketing and PR Strategist at The Winters Group, Inc., and Co-Chair of the American Society of Journalists and Authors Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Task Force