Home > Rhythm & Views > Archives > 2009 > January > 29 > Entry
Does Black Prez Need Black Press?
Well….I think it depends on the magazine.
I’ve been a member of the National Association of Black Journalists for years and am a long-time advocate of more diversity in the media. And the White House press corps is certainly lacking in faces of color.
So far be it from me to argue against a magazine that serves an audience of color, stepping up its game and sending someone to D.C. full time.
I just can’t help but wonder what the stories will be about.
Essence is not a news or political magazine, so it will be interesting to see how this entertainment and lifestyle publication handles covering the presidency, especially since the beat wasn’t important to the magazine before a black man took office.
My sister-in-law suspects it will be all fluff and no substance. I have a hard time believing they’ll have a full time correspondent just to cover Michelle Obama’s sense of fashion. Only time will tell.
What do you think? If you aren’t already a subscriber, will you start buying Essence to catch the new coverage?
Comments
By Ron
January 29, 2009 5:34 PM | Link to this
Being that the White House press corps is already 92% democrat and completely in the tank for Obama, I doubt you will notice any difference in his coverage.
Only Major Garrett of Fox News will dare ask a question outside of the usual,”are you thirsty?” or “can I get you a drink?”, ” is your new bedroom nice enough?”, “how is the food here?” etc.
One more fawning, leg thrilling, or swooning liberal in the press corps won’t hurt at all.
By prettyskin
January 29, 2009 6:14 PM | Link to this
Dinosaurs: Essence, Ebony, & Jet. Leadership has not been paying attention. They have not refitted their core objectives for a 21st century magazine. Covering the President, distasteful move.
Magazines with 90% or better readership tailored to one particular ethnic group is outdated.
Tailoring a magazine to a specific ethnicity is close-minded for the 21st century exotic American population. All can share and benefit from ‘humanistic elements’ of what any magazine is selling.
By Prissy
February 2, 2009 10:33 AM | Link to this
With all due respect Rhonda Swan…can mind your own business??? The president has enough..who cares who interviews him, what kind of press he has…there are so many other questions or any other reports that you can find…etc…Our president has enough to take of..And leave Michelle alone…let her be…everyone is so worried of how she dresses…whether she has good taste or bad, she’s a human just like us..She may have good days and bad days…if she wants to support black designers let her…and if she doesn’t let her be!!! Geez!!!
By Radiance
February 2, 2009 1:41 PM | Link to this
“Magazines with 90% or better readership tailored to one particular ethnic group is (sic) outdated.”
So I guess mags like Cosmo, Vogue, People, Us Weekly and the like are all outdated too. Those magazines cater to a particular ethnicity because 90% or more of the people or articles they feature are about a single ethnic group.
By NOYA
February 24, 2009 12:26 PM | Link to this
I don’t see why an intelligent, innovative man and politician should be reduced to his skin color. It also escapes me why Essence should become a permanent fixture at the White House simply because a mixed race president is in office. How people can become transfixed by the banal!!
By NOYA
February 24, 2009 12:27 PM | Link to this
I don’t see why an intelligent, innovative man and politician should be reduced to his skin color. It also escapes me why Essence should become a permanent fixture at the White House simply because a mixed race president is in office. How people can become transfixed by the banal!!