SUBURBAN NEWS DISPARITIES: Race, Representation, and Media Bias in Nassau County, NY
A Conversation with Scott Brinton
Assistant Professor of Journalism, Media Studies, and Public Relations; Faculty Editor, Hofstra University
While suburbs are often perceived as homogenous White places in the United States, they are actually racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse. People of color comprise 45% of the suburban population in a nation where 53% of Americans live in suburbs, 26% in cities, and 21% in rural areas. Too often, though, the news media, at all levels, fail to capture suburban diversity in their reporting, demonstrating a consistent bias toward Whiteness. This presentation will review findings of a multiyear research projec t that examined the level of such bias in coverage featuring six communities of color surrounding Hofstra University. It will also look at the anti-racist approach taken in the study, which provided historical context to the current state of news media and offered ideas for systemic change based on empirical evidence.
Scott Brinton is an assistant professor of journalism, media studies, and public relations in The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and the faculty editor/advisor to The Long Island Advocate, Hofstra’s online platform for off-campus reporting. He was formerly executive editor of Herald Community Newspapers, with more than 20 editions throughout Nassau County. His reporting has appeared in numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, Newsday, and WABC Eyewitness News.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
1-2:25 p.m. (Common Hour)
Room 203 Roosevelt Hall, South Campus
This event is free and open to the public.