It’s called a stylebook, NY Daily News…use it.
As someone who has a degree in Journalism, it’s always sad to see information in print that is incorrect, or worse offensive. This happens quite often, especially when dealing with sensitive stories involving members of the transgender community. I realize that it may be difficult to know off-hand how to properly write about a group of people you aren’t very familiar with, but ignorance should be no excuse for someone responsible for reporting factual news. Even if they do work for a publication like the New York Daily News.
I’m referring to this article, (although apparently they’ve updated the headline) about an MTF individual who was brutally murdered in the Bronx recently. The victim, Sanesha Stewart, was referred to often as “he” and even as “a man dressed as a woman.” I’d like to point out that in my copy of the Associated Press’ Stylebook, it states the following under the entry for “sex changes”:
Use the pronoun preferred by the individuals who have acquired the physical characteristics of the opposite sex or present themselves in a way that does not correspond with their sex at birth. If that preference is not expressed, use the pronoun consistent with the way the individuals live publicly.
See Daily News, it’s not that difficult to figure out if you just take a second to report responsibly. It’s the mishandling of such information that perpetuates bigotry towards the trans community. The pronoun usage was only the beginning of the problems with this article. The original sensationalist headline read “Fooled John Stabbed Bronx Tranny.” Holy Crap! Who approved that? No wonder no one has any respect for the Daily News and they hold it on par with The National Enquirer (or maybe that’s just me.) Regardless, it was a hack journalist who showed up for work that day and wrote an insensitive article about a tragic murder.
GLAAD took the initiative and requested more sensitive coverage. In a follow-up story, the Daily News avoided sensationalism and included interviews with friends and family of the victim, but still described her as a man, and referred to her as Talib, instead of Sanesha. I noticed this in news articles about the Gwen Araujo case. Reporters just could not write about the case without referring to Gwen’s birth name, Edward. And don’t even get me started on the comments left on the Daily News website. It saddens me to read such comments, because it makes me realize just how far we have to go before society will be accepting of people as individuals.
Perhaps the main point I want to make is that, if nothing else, the media should be aware of how to properly discuss situations on which they may not be educated. Attention all media, GLAAD has made things a little bit simpler for you by creating an LGBT stylebook. There is also a stylebook supplement available from the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association. These should be in every newsroom in the country. Get a clue NY Daily News, because some people believe your selfish articles are fact, and if that’s the case, perhaps you should start reporting them as such.
Protect your fellow humans. Speak out about bigoted reporting. Newspapers are meant to deliver the news, not someone’s opinion of what passes as news. That’s what the editorial section is for, and you sad Daily News reporter have clearly not made it that far up the newsroom ladder.
(Side note: You can blame Josh for getting me all riled up as our new blog situation is: Josh finds the article, I rant about it.)
Sara
