Sid Bedingfield
Executive Vice President and General Manager
Cable News Network
100 International Blvd.
Atlanta, GA 30348
Dear Mr. Bedingfield:
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists joins the Asian American Journalists Association in expressing our concerns over the recent changes the network has made to its anchor desk, resulting in the near absence of anchors of color during primetime viewing hours. We urge you to please keep diversity a high priority as CNN revamps its anchor desk.
The new anchor lineup does not reflect the diverse news stories that CNN covers or the nation’s diverse viewing audience. Census figures have shown that the population of people of color has grown dramatically over the past decade. We are certain the journalists of color who left CNN had a following in their communities. In a business where success is judged by ratings, we believe a network committed to anchors of color can produce programs that are ratings winners.
We believe newsroom diversity is related to producing diverse news stories, the kind of strong journalism that attracts a broad range of viewers. We recognize that CNN is in a period of transition, but we have seen too many journalists of color relegated to off-hours or weekend slots as changes are made. What message does that send to viewers? What message does that send about the network’s commitment to diversity?
We also want to express our concern about talent recruiter Bonnie Anderson, a native of Cuba, who was let go. We hope her departure does not signal that CNN views diversity with less importance. It is of the foremost importance for her successor to continue the important partnerships between CNN and NAHJ as well as with other ethnic journalism associations. We look forward to seeing you at our annual scholarship dinner this February 21st in New York City and at our convention in San Diego, June 12 - 15.
Sincerely,
Cecilia Alvear
NAHJ President
