On the heels of CNN pledging $100,000 to the National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association, CNN has now pledged $50,000 to the Native American Journalists Association. Are they liberal "diversity" czars? Yep. Redskins fans in particular can read their "Reading Red Report 2003: A Call for the News Media to Recognize Racism in Sports Team Nicknames and Mascots." (Enjoy the comparison of using the Redskins name to the description of grotesque fatal "splattering" head injuries.)
The CNN news from the NAJA press release:
This is good news," NAJA President Mike Kellogg (Navajo) said. "NAJA awarded more than $25,000 in scholarships last year and each year we see more requests from students. We're delighted that in the coming years we'll be able to help more of our future broadcasters."
This most recent gift continues CNN's generous support for Native journalism and journalists of color.
"In today's world, it is imperative that a news organization such as CNN employ a diversity of journalists that reflect the diversity of the world they cover," said Jim Walton, CNN Worldwide president. "To that end, this donation helps ensure that CNN and other news organizations encourage more minority students to consider journalism as a career."
CNN also says it will work with NAJA to get more Native students involved in broadcast journalism through internships, as well as train broadcast journalists during the 2006 convention. The network is planning a seminar at NAJA's 2006 convention in Tulsa, Okla., to share its vast experience covering natural disasters--from wildfires to floods to the recent hurricanes along the Gulf Coast.
In addition to a seminar, CNN has pledged support for the 2006 and 2007 conventions in Tulsa and Denver. The network was also a major sponsor of the 2005 annual convention in Lincoln, Neb.
