ENID — Journalists are supposed to be sensitive about being sensitive.

For years, journalists and their organizations have been lobbied by one interest group or another over terms that have been used in news coverage regarding those groups.

Those who lobby for disabled people have been active over the years requesting journalists to use certain terms when covering issues of disability.

Race also has been the subject of many term changes. Over the years, minority groups have lobbied journalism organizations over names and terms used to describe minority groups.

I recently received a very nice book from the Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called “A Journalist’s Guide to Understanding Islam and Muslims,” which requests journalists do some specific things when covering the Muslim community.

So, it really is no surprise to hear the Society of Professional Journalists now is requesting journalists refrain from calling people who have come into the United States illegally as “illegal immigrants” or “illegal aliens.” They now are requesting journalists start using the term “undocumented workers.”

The reason, SPJ says, is “illegal immigrant” is derogatory to Hispanics and Latinos. I’m certain some Latino special interest groups probably approached the SPJ board and requested this change.

I’m not surprised SPJ is being sensitive to the request. I know some call it “political correctness,” and perhaps it is; however, journalists always should listen to what these groups have to say.

For the last 20 years, journalism organizations have tried to embrace diversity. For much of its history, journalism was controlled by older white males, and, to be frank, that kind of control left a lot to be desired about how different groups and issues were covered in the news. So, newsrooms became more active in trying to hire journalists from diverse populations, including minorities and women.

Over the years, as our population has become more diverse and really, more international, I dare say news coverage of groups or issues has been more well-rounded.

 Have some news organizations gone over the top in trying to be “sensitive” to certain groups, or, have they kowtowed to a certain political agenda in their coverage?

I think the obvious answer to that is, yes in some circumstances, as the media has grown from newspapers, radio stations and network channels to literally thousands of Internet and new media operations and organizations.

While SPJ may have come to the conclusion “undocumented worker” is a more sensitive term to describe illegal immigrants, what is more important in a journalistic sense is accuracy. What term is the most accurate to describe someone who resides in the United States unlawfully by residency or citizenship?

Does “undocumented worker” accurately describe all those people? In my opinion, no, it does not because not every person residing here unlawfully by residency or citizenship is working at a job.

“Illegal immigrant” still is the most accurate term to describe these folks. As an Associated Press representative recently explained, “Alternatives like undocumented worker, illegal alien or illegals lack precision or may have negative connotations, illegal immigrant, on the other hand, is accurate and neutral for news stories.”

So, since most mainstream journalism organizations follow AP style, I don’t expect to see much change in this particular terminology.



Allen is managing editor of the Enid News & Eagle. She can be reached at 548-8163 or by e-mail at editor@enidnews.com.