This weekend, in Marseille, the first festival of AJAR, the Association of Antiracist and Racialized Journalists, is being held, which works for better treatment of racial issues in the media and for more diversity in editorial offices.
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This is the first edition of AJAR meetingsan association created a year ago and to which some 250 people are expected. The association’s 200 journalists work to improve coverage of racial issues. And demand better representation of the population at a time when editorial offices are still very white.
“ For us it is absolutely necessary that there be a critical look at the media. Our existence is essential today », explains Christelle Murhula. These meetings are the occasion for round tables on various subjects such as the treatment of the suburbs, that of overseas people or even anti-Gypsyism.
In one year, the association has listed dozens of racist biases in media coverage in France. “ Why are black women athletes always animalized? We say ‘the gazelle’, ‘the panther’… it’s a way of animalizing black women which is racializing and racist”analyzes Khedidja Zerouali, member of AJAR, on the microphone of our correspondent in Marseille, Justine Rodier. It is important to interrogate the terms used in the writing process.
“ These are biases that are present throughout French society so there is no reason why it should not be in the editorial offices, in a more or less significant way. », continues Inès, daily journalist Release. To avoid clichés, shortcuts and biases, the France Presse agency and the online information site Mediapart have notably created the position of editorial manager for racial issues. In addition, AJAR offers training to editorial offices and journalism schools.