Watchdog for diversity: Asian American Journalists Association

The Asian American Journalists Association understands the importance of diversity and reporting about it properly. On their website, www.aaja.org, AAJA states why they use both terms Asian American and Pacific Islander. They believe all American citizens and residents who identify with one or more of the three dozen nationalities and ethnic groups of East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East and the Pacific Island should be included.

With over 2,000 members across the U.S. and Asia, AAJA believes in diverse viewpoints. They partner with other journalistic organizations such as UNITY Journalists of Color and Native American Journalists of Color. Focusing on diverse viewpoints, the AAJA researches other news organizations, alerting them of misconceptions, lack of fairness or accuracy in coverage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. They look at every aspect of the media to see how diversity, or lack of, affects everyone. Keeping watch of other organizations helps diversity remain an issue in the media's mind.

Encouraging all journalists to become involved in diverse media, AAJA hosts a convention, workshops and they produce quarterly newsletters. Through mentorship and fellowship programs, AAJA helps professionals share their experiences in the media. AAJA concentrates on acknowledging minorities that have slipped into the darkness. Helping other professionals, they produce a stylebook on how to cover Asian Americans and Pacific Islander issues. They also provide links to reference guides pertaining to other minorities. AAJA enhances diversity by holding themselves and other accountable for properly correctly minorities.