Mayor Eric Adams Is Only Half Right About the Media

Republicans usually blast media outlets for their biased or unjust coverage of policies. However, we hear more Democrats doing the same thing, evidently frustrated that some Democrats are not embracing their agenda.

Eric Adams of New York City, the Mayor, has failed to stop rising crime in his promises. Adams criticized journalists for negative reporting on Adams’ administration. Fair enough, Adams was just sworn-in. Jan. 1, 2022However, it is not clear that his policies have made much difference.

At News conference, Adams went a step further and blamed the lack of “diversity” in newsrooms as the reason for his negative coverage. He might consider hiring cheerleaders from National Football League.

Mayor Adams has a point about America’s lack of diversity. Adams refers to the media which promotes equality in all areas of American life, including racial and ethnic gender. This 2018 article was published in Columbia Journalism Review referenced a Census Bureau finding that while racial and ethnic minorities comprise 40 percent of the population, they “make up less than 17 percent of newsroom staff at print and online publications and only 13 percent of newspaper leadership.”

The mayor is wrong, though, when he implies that a Black journalist would – or should – report on him more favorably than a white reporter. This assertion degrades professionalism in journalists of color and implies that people should support candidates who are like them because they have the same race. Many news readers believe this attitude is a way for the media to overlook the many flaws of liberal and Democratic politicians. Every journalist should be able to apply the same standards to politicians, regardless of race, gender or sexuality. This is the reason I oppose professional associations that are dominated by Hispanic and Black journalists. These organizations set a new standard in news reporting and this is not good for journalists or opinion writers.

“I’m a Black man,” said the mayor, “but my story is being interpreted by people that don’t look like me.” How would he “interpret” the uptick in crime since he took office? There are many ways to get involved in the fight against crime. The New York Post reported, “New NYPD statistics reveal serious crimes, including in the transit system, are only increasing.” Adams has dismissed concern over these incidents, and notes the paper is spreading a “perception of fear.” It is more than a perception of fear. This is legitimate fear due to what a growing number of New Yorkers consider unsafe subways and streets.

What should a Black journalist do to cover such statistics? Is crime to be ignored? The majority crime victims Are they people of colour, and so are many of the perpetrators? These are facts important to the public that Black journalists should not overlook

Lori Lightfoot of Chicago has also said something similar. Lightfoot declared that on her second anniversary as Chicago Mayor, she would not grant any other wishes. Interviews one-on-1 to journalists of color, criticizing local media for being “overwhelming white.” One doesn’t have to imagine the furor that would follow an announcement by a white politician that he – or she – would grant interviews only to white reporters. A conservative politician whose announcement said that liberals would not be allowed to interview him or her would also be infuriating.

Adams and Lightfoot’s statements are not credible or uphold modern journalism’s credibility. These statements should be resisted by journalists of color especially. Journalist organizations also need to be against such racism. Doing so could further cause irreparable damage to an already damaged profession.