Race Inquiry for Debates Upsets Reporters

[dmr]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DEBATES_RACE_QUESTION?SITE=MITRA&SECTION=POLITICS

Sep 9, 1:40 PM EDT
Race Inquiry for Debates Upsets Reporters

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Journalists applying to the Commission on Presidential Debates for credentials to cover the presidential debates are being asked to provide their racial data, a move that has some upset.

In addition to requesting that applicants provide their name, Social Security or passport number, gender, address and country and date of birth, the online application asks respondents to describe their race using one of the following: American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, black, not of Hispanic origin, Hispanic, white, not of Hispanic origin. A drop-down list gives respondents the option of not providing the information.

John Butler, news director at St. Louis radio station KMOX, said he found the question offensive.

"Here's the deal: It's not their ... business," he said. "We're journalists, period. We're not white, black, green, purple, male or female. End of story."

more ...

Commission on Presidential Debates: http://www.debates.org/

[RevCheesehead]

1. Well, where else would Repugs find Black "Georgie Girls?"

[frylock]

2. sorry ma'am, we can't issue you those credentials..

we already have enough caucasians. Do you have any Alaskan Native or Pacific Islander colleagues we might contact?