Chapter 16

     It is important for journalists to interview and report on subjects with sensitivity and care about certain issues. Gender, race, and age are all pieces of information that should not be identified unless it is relevant to the story. Journalists should follow gender-neutral language that does not specify male & female roles. For example, a writer should say a firefighter instead of a fireman. It is also essential to know your audience when you are describing specific groups. Just because people are the same color or look similar, does not mean they like to be addressed the same way. Overall, the best way to go about writing with sensitivity and care is to simply ask the source how they prefer to be addressed.

    This chapter can also relate to the chapter on ethics. If a journalist does the right thing from the start, they will avoid any backlash from the public. It is important to be aware of the current definition of a descriptor; some that were used in the past may be recognized as slurs in the present. It is the writer's job to make sure the people they are reporting on are labeled in an accurate way and in a way that will not offend anyone. Reporters should take the extra step to interview a diverse group of people for a story. Many organizations have guidelines to follow in regards to race and gender. It is ethically important to label people appropriately and only if needed.

    I wonder how each race views the media and if they think how they are addressed and covered is acceptable. I honestly do not really notice race, gender, or health labels when reading articles. This might be because I am just skimming them. Are journalists doing a better job today when it comes to writing with sensitivity or are they trying to avoid labeling people as much as possible because of how society is nowadays?

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