Why Non-White Communities Could Be Hit The Hardest By Climate Change

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CHICAGO, July 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — National Public Radio presents the panel discussion “Covering Climate Change: Why Non-White Communities Could Be Hit the Hardest,” as part of the UNITY ‘08 Convention. Writers, producers and editors will discuss how poor, predominantly ethnic communities around the nation have been struggling against bad water, poor air quality and other environmental hardships long before Hurricane Katrina. The wide range of climate change and other environmental shifts presents opportunities to find stories in and around communities of color and low-income communities. The session is from 8:30 to 10 a.m. McCormick Place West, W196.
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More than 6,830 journalists of color are registered at the UNITY convention currently underway at McCormick Place West. The convention ends tomorrow with an address from presidential candidate Barack Obama. Presidential candidate John McCain has also been invited to speak. McCain has not confirmed his attendance.
Saturday’s highlights at UNITY ‘08 include:
– “In Living Color: Representing Minorities in the Media,” is an audience panel discussion for graphic and visual artists to ensure that the faces and places that they choose to illustrate important issues - health care, crime, education, and politics - are attached with fairness, verve, and meaning. The panel will include photographers, graphic artists, producers and illustrators. 8:30 to 10 a.m. McCormick Place West, W175.
– “Beyond the Fence: Covering Immigration Globally and Locally,” is a discussion where panelists will recommend a major overhaul of how news organizations cover immigration. Instead of focusing only on the American Southwest or big urban centers, why not look at the ways that immigration affects other countries, or the changing migration patterns between residents of European cities and developing nations, the evolving attitudes and relationships between South Americans and Mexicans, the social and economic impact of human trafficking in Asia, or the growing problems of war refugees in the Middle East? 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., McCormick Place West, W196.
– The Asian American Journalists Association and the South Asian Journalists Association present “Following the Money: The Growing Economic Footprints of India and China,” will discuss how the two giants are fast changing the playing field in global economics, and how to improve coverage of two of the world’s leading economic powers. 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., McCormick Place West, W471.
– BET Networks presents a Lunch ‘n’ Learn Event: “Coverage of Violence in Communities of Color.” Moderator Jeff Johnson will lead a provocative conversation on the intersection of race, violence and news coverage. The session requires pre-registration. Noon to 1:30 p.m. McCormick Place West, W183AB
– The National Association of Hispanic Journalists presents “Beyond ‘Illegal Alien’: Toward Fair, Ethical and Accurate Immigration Coverage.” In the past year, the level of rhetoric surrounding immigration coverage has reached historic - often hysterical - levels in many communities. Readers in Texas and California, for example, are pressuring newspapers to publish the legal status of Latinos at the center of any story, whether or not it’s related to immigration. But for reporters, where is the fine line between reporting the truth and fueling the flames, especially for journalists of color who face the dual challenge of pressure from Latinos in the community and editors in the newsroom? Join a panel of veteran immigration reporters for tactics to navigate these tricky waters. 1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., McCormick Place West, W192C
– “Fade Out: What Does Media Consolidation Mean for Journalists and Consumers of Color?” The panel will discuss how in the sea of change hitting the media industry, journalists of color have been hit harder, proportionately, than the total population of working journalists. Recent demographic surveys from ASNE show that fewer journalists of color have been hired than in years past, while growing numbers are leaving the newsroom. 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. McCormick Place West, W196.
– NABJ hosts its “Salute to Excellence Awards Gala” with emcees Diann Burns and Kevin Frazier, from 7 to 10 p.m. inside the Sheraton Chicago hotel and Towers, Chicago Ballroom.
– The Media Expo and Career Center remains open half the day. The expo features a career center with workshops, a photojournalism gallery, demos of the latest digital technology, a press conference area, a bookstore, author appearances, a cyber cafe and networking lounges. 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. McCormick Place Expo Hall.
– CLOSING PARTIES. The closing parties are a kickoff to next year’s individual group conventions, and a time for one final social event at UNITY ‘08:
9 p.m. to LATE - AAJA/UNITY hosts its “Karaoke Night” inside the Sheraton hotel and Towers, Exhibit Hall A.
10:30 p.m. to LATE - NABJ hosts its “Tampa Kick-Off Party,” inside the Sheraton hotel and Towers, Chicago Ballroom.
9 p.m. to LATE - NAHJ hosts its “Vamos Pa’ Puerto Rico” party inside the Sheraton hotel and Towers, Chicago Ballroom.
About UNITY: Journalists of Color
UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc. is a strategic alliance advocating news coverage about people of color, and aggressively challenging its organizations at all levels to reflect the nation’s diversity. UNITY, representing more than 10,000 journalists of color, is comprised of four national associations: Asian American Journalists Association, National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the Native American Journalists Association.
In addition to planning the largest regular gathering of journalists in the nation, UNITY develops programs and institutional relationships that promote its mission. For more information on UNITY, visit , email or call (703) 854-3585.

UNITY: Journalists of Color