Title
Racial Equity in Media - For the purpose of encouraging racial equity in all forms of media.
Body
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
City of Annapolis
Resolution 62-20
Introduced by: Alderwoman Finlayson
Co-sponsored by: Alderwoman Pindell Charles,
Alderwoman Tierney, Alderman Gay, Alderman Savidge,
Alderman Schandelmeier, and Alderman Paone
A RESOLUTION concerning
Racial Equity in Media
FOR the purpose of encouraging racial equity in all forms of media.
WHEREAS, On June 21, 2020, the Capital Gazette Editorial Board published an article titled “Our Say: The Capital helped racism flourish in Annapolis. We can do better” a copy of which is attached to this Resolution; and
WHEREAS, The Capital Gazette concluded its article by stating “We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it. We believe we have made progress, but hope black residents of this community will continue to tell us how The Capital can change to help end the racism that is holding us all back. We’re listening”; and
WHEREAS, the “Racial Equity in Media Consortium” was formed to address the racial inequity in all forms of media and is comprised of many community leaders who are concerned with combatting racism, including local and state elected officials, representatives from the clergy and private sector, and notable advocacy organizations including the Anne Arundel County Branch of the NAACP, the United Black Clergy, the Caucus of African American Leaders (CAAL), and the Annapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, the Consortium has met with multiple media outlets and have shared a template for self-evaluation of equity practices within their organizations; and
WHEREAS, the Annapolis City Council urges all media organizations to use the template, or another of their choosing, on an annual basis to continue to evaluate their progress in developing equity in media best practices; and
WHEREAS, the Annapolis City Council calls on all media outlets in Anne Arundel County, the State of Maryland, and nationwide to offer apologies in recognition of their past practices.
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that we applaud the efforts of the Baltimore Media Group, of which the Capital is an affiliate, and encourage all media organizations nationwide to evaluate their business practices and commit to fair and equitable reporting.
AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that this Resolution shall take effect from the date of its passage.
EXPLANATION
Underlining indicates matter added.
[Strikethrough] indicates matter stricken.