Economy, Layoffs Dominate NABJ Elections

Wednesday, 05 August 2009 16:22

NABJ presidential candidate Angelo Henderson and Richard Prince share a laugh. (Jarrad Henderson/nabjconvention.org)

By Corinne Lyons and Wesley Lowery
nabjconvention.org

Economic woes have captivated the nation and dominated the political discourse, and, at least one veteran journalist believes they are the central issue for members of the National Association of Black Journalists as they head to the polls this year.

“The economy and downsizing of news organizations are obviously Topic A,” said Richard Prince, author of the Maynard Institute’s “Journal-isms” blog and moderator of the NABJ forum.

Prince, who has attended every NABJ convention since 1984, says this is one of the most important elections.

The election coincides with a year when the number of employed journalists has decreased by more than 11 percent, while the number of black journalists in newsrooms has dropped by almost 14 percent, according a report released in April by the American Society of News Editors.

Meanwhile, NABJ is struggling to retain its members – with the organization losing over 300 members over the last two years according to Prince. Attendance at this year’s convention is expected to fall short of previous years that have seen about 3,000 journalists. As of Monday, there were 1,566 registered members, and only 95 of the 173 available booths were sold for the annual career fair as of July 27, according to NABJ officials.

This year there are 24 journalists vying for 14 positions within NABJ. Prince, who has previously served as chairman of the Media Monitoring Committee and co-editor of the NABJ Journal, said the candidates need to propose innovative ways to thrive despite the economy and the downsizing.

“(The economy) is the number one issue.” Prince said.

NABJ Presidential candidate Kathy Times hugs Lorraine Mcbride at the convention's opening reception Wednesday. (Jarrad Henderson/nabjconvention.org)

Both NABJ presidential candidates have released platforms focused on getting black journalists out of unemployment lines and back into full-time positions.

Since announcing their candidacies, Kathy Times and Angelo Henderson have both developed online tools to help NABJ members stay marketable and find jobs.

Late last month Times, a co-anchor and reporter for Fox 40 in Jackson, Mississippi, launched NABJ 360, an interactive web site designed to equip members with products and services needed to start, manage and grow their businesses. The site will also connect users to a national market of businesses and consumers seeking their services and link job-seekers with potential employers.

“It’s an opportunity to stay working as a journalist,” Times said.

Meanwhile, Henderson created NABJ Job Match, an online forum that aims connect NABJ members with potential employers.

Henderson, who works as a Radio One news host and correspondent for the Christian Television Network, believes the site will help NABJ become a valuable talent provider to the industry, according to his Web site.

“Job Match is about looking at our role differently,” Henderson said. “Instead of asking, we become aggressively engaged in finding jobs and letting members know about them.

In addition to developing new online resources for members, the candidates hope to rejuvenate NABJ through a variety of new programs. Henderson said he will establish a NABJ speaker’s bureau to increase income for members and revenue for NABJ, while Times will focus on retraining membership with innovative newsgathering and delivery methods.

This election holds special significance for Amy Simmons, a freelance journalist and associate member of NABJ, who hopes a leadership change will bring about better programming and support for journalists struggling economically.

Amy Simmons, a freelance journalist and associate member of NABJ, said she is glad NABJ leaders "have, albeit late, begun to handle this industry upheaval.”

Simmons said the unstable job market has forced her to take a non-writing job in addition to her freelancing. Simmons, who has been an NABJ member since 2005, said the recession impacted freelancers differently than other journalists. As a freelancer, she said it is very hard to get paid.

“Sometimes things fall through; a payment does not materialize, or is paid months after the last shut off notice,” she said.

But Simmons said she will fight through that because she is a writer at heart.

“Like others in this field, I know that to be a writer is my vocation, something I am compelled to do, and do so willingly, regardless of the scope of the struggle.” Simmons said.

NABJ members can cast their ballots electronically at NABJ.org, or at a designated polling location in the Tampa Convention Center.

Polls close on Friday, Aug. 7, at 5 p.m.

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