ASU's Cronkite School Adds Native American Journalism Professorship

Arizona State University is adding a first-of-its-kind professor position to focus on how Native Americans are covered and portrayed by the media.

The new Southwest Borderlands Initiative Professor will explore the quality and quantity of Native American coverage in the news media, said Christopher Callahan, dean of ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, in a news release.

“News media organizations across the U.S. too often ignore issues impacting Indian Country,” Callahan said. “And much of the news coverage that exists lacks depth, nuance and understanding of Native communities. We believe this new faculty position will shine a light on this important area and improve coverage here in Arizona and across the region and the country.”

The challenges of covering Native Americans are particularly important in Arizona, which is home to 22 federally recognized tribes — including the Navajo Nation, the bulk of which is in Arizona's northeast corner. In all, about 28 percent of the state is tribal land.

Callahan said the new professor also will allow Cronkite News, the Cronkite School's student-produced news division, to expand its ability to produce meaningful coverage of Native Americans in the Southwest and across the country.

A national search is being conducted to fill the professorship, ASU said.