The Forum on Media Diversity
The Forum on Media Diversity was founded by the Manship School of Mass Communication and the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at Louisiana State University in 2001 to provide information AbOUT diversity in the academic and professional realms of media, journalism and mass communication. It is a forum that offers a research database that includes bibliographic information of more than 3,000 academic and professional journal articles, books and conference papers on diversity issues, with focus on media, journalism and mass communication in both national and international contexts. The purpose of the Forum is to assist media diversity researchers locate contemporary research and sources on media diversity. It is headed by Dr. Ralph Izard, Interim Dean of Manship School of Mass Communication, and Adrienne Moore, director of the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs.
The Forum hosts conferences, workshops and symposiums that explore challenges and opportunities in promoting diversity in media, journalism and mass communication. In spring 2010 the Forum sponsored two workshops on “Effective Use of Electronic Media” and “Advertising for Success” for representatives of Louisiana ethnic media.The result of one conference the Forum hosted resulted in the publication of a report, "Diversity That Works." A survey conducted by the Forum, "2009 Assessment of Diversity Education in Journalism/Mass Communication Schools," was published in the winter 2010 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, "Journalism and Mass Communication Educator.” The Forum and the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs partnered with New American Media and Columbia University to organize the John Breaux Symposium titled “The Influence of Ethnic Media on Politics and Participation” in New Orleans on November 1–2, 2010. This symposium was given particular attention in a blog by The Poynter Institute: The future of ethnic media depends on generation that sees color differently.
The Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication selected the Manship School of Mass Communication as the inaugural recipient of the 2010 National Equity & Diversity Award.