They shared tips at a recent institute retreat in Oxford. With greater inclusion of minorities, Birdiett said news organizations can more fairly and accurately cover and reflect the perspectives of all segments of society. However, when the institute began in 1985, minorities comprised only 5.76 percent of newsrooms, the report shows. That figure includes managers, professionals and technicians. At the Detroit Free Press, the number is 16 percent.
Tuition is paid through corporate and foundation sponsorship, grants and individual donations.
Students are required to maintain a strong academic record and meet internship requirements. Since its inception, JIM has graduated about 70 students, said Ben Burns, director of the WSU journalism program. 38 students are enrolled in the program this year. Graduates of the JIM program have been hired by newspapers, TV and radio stations around the country, including The Detroit News, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and Detroit Free Press. The Detroit News has four JIM graduates who work as reporters.