Parity Project Takes Multicultural Approach With Launch of Program at The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, VA

Marquita Smith, Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals President
(757) 222-5149 marquita.smith@pilotonline.com

Denise Bridges, The Virginian-Pilot Director of Newsroom Recruitment
(757) 446-2456 denise.bridges@pilotonline.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The scope of the National Assoc. of Hispanic Journalists’ Parity Project is broadening as it takes a multicultural approach with the launch of this program at The Virginian-Pilot, culminating with a town hall in Norfolk, VA on Oct. 30, 2007.

NAHJ is working with the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals (HRBMP) to hold a town hall between community leaders who are people of color in The Pilot’s readership area and the people who run the newspaper. HRBMP is an affiliate of the National Assoc. of Black Journalists.

Recent statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the number of people of color nationwide is growing and that trend is playing out in the greater Norfolk/Hampton Roads area.

Here are details on the town hall:

The Virginian-Pilot
Parity Project town hall
Tues., Oct. 30, 2007
7 – 9 p.m.
Roper Center for the Performing Arts
Tidewater Community College
340 Granby St.
Norfolk, VA 23510

The town hall is free and will give community leaders of color an opportunity to interact with the managers, editors and news staff of The Virginian-Pilot to discuss ways of improving the paper's news coverage and interaction with minorities.

The Virginian-Pilot, which is owned by Landmark Communications, Inc., is the 26th media organization to join the Parity Project. This program is intended to serve as an example for the entire journalism industry when it comes to improving newsroom diversity and coverage of, as well as interaction with, diverse communities.

The Robert R. McCormick Tribune Foundation is the major funder of the Parity Project.