Richard Prince (journalist) facts for kids

Richard Prince (born in 1947) is an American journalist. He is known for his work with newspapers like The Washington Post. He also wrote a long-running column called "Journal-isms." This column focuses on important topics like diversity in journalism.

Richard Prince has won many awards for his work. He is especially known for speaking up about fairness. In 1972, he was part of a group called the Metro Seven. They spoke out against unfair practices at The Washington Post.

About Richard Prince

Early Life and Education

Richard Prince was born on July 26, 1947. His parents were Jonathan and Audrey Prince. He grew up in Roosevelt, Long Island, New York. He finished high school there in 1964.

After high school, Richard Prince went to New York University. He earned his bachelor's degree in journalism in 1969. This education helped him start his career in news.

Starting His Journalism Career

Richard Prince's first job as a newspaper reporter was at The Star-Ledger. This newspaper is in Newark, New Jersey. After gaining experience there, he moved to The Washington Post.

While at the Washington Post, he became part of the Metro Seven. This was a group of African-American journalists. They were concerned about unfair practices at the newspaper.

Later, Prince worked at the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. He held many different roles there. He was an assistant editor, a columnist, and even edited the "Speaking Out" opinion page. He later returned to the Washington Post as a part-time editor.

Richard Prince's "Journal-isms" Column

What is "Journal-isms"?

Richard Prince started his "Journal-isms" column in 1991. It first appeared online in 2002. It was supported by the Maynard Institute for many years. In 2016, the column became independent.

"Journal-isms" is a mix of news and commentary. It covers how news media, race, and society connect. It also focuses on diversity in newsrooms. Many people describe it as a key source for these topics.

Importance of the Column

The "Journal-isms" column was very popular. In 2015, it made up a big part of the views on the Maynard Institute's website. It also started appearing on The Root in 2010.

David Honig, an expert on media diversity, praised "Journal-isms." He said it was rare to find so much important information in one place. He noted that if a story was important to minorities in media, it would be in "Journal-isms."

Some of Richard Prince's notable articles include:

• "Yes, it’s a huge deal to have a black journalist run the New York Times"
• "For op-ed diversity, give editing, mentoring"
• "Black journalist, the world needs you"

Richard Prince is seen as an expert on race and journalism. He once spoke with journalist Charlayne Hunter-Gault on the PBS NewsHour. He talked about how news media handles race. He explained that many newsrooms lack diversity. He stressed that businesses need to connect with a changing, more diverse country to succeed.

The Metro Seven Group

Fighting for Fairness in Journalism

Early in his career, Richard Prince joined six other journalists. They formed a group known as the Metro Seven. This group of seven African American journalists decided to speak out. They protested unfair practices at The Washington Post. These practices included how assignments, salaries, and promotions were handled.

The Metro Seven included:

• Michael B. Hodge
• Ivan C. Brandon
• LaBarbara A. Bowman
• Leon Dash
• Penny Mickelbury
• Ronald A. Taylor
• Richard Prince

In 1972, the Metro Seven filed a complaint. They went to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This was a big step. It is believed to be the first complaint of its kind against a newspaper. Some members, like Richard Prince and Leon Dash, also helped start the National Association of Black Journalists.

Impact and Legacy

The editor of The Washington Post at the time, Ben Bradlee, was not happy. He called their protest "an insult." Meetings between the reporters and editors did not solve the problem.

The EEOC said the group could take their case to federal court. However, the Metro Seven members did not go to court. This was mainly due to financial reasons. Still, their actions had a big impact. They inspired a similar complaint from female Post employees. That case was later settled in 1980.

Even without going to court, the Metro Seven helped make newsrooms more diverse. Their complaint accused the newspaper of denying black employees equal chances. This included job assignments, promotions, and other work conditions. Their actions also helped women in journalism speak up for equal opportunities.

In 2002, Richard Prince spoke about the 30-year anniversary of the Metro Seven. He said that while progress had been made, there was still more work to do for equality in journalism. The group's efforts helped advance diversity not just for African American men and women, but for women and other ethnic groups too.

Awards and Recognition

Richard Prince has received several important awards for his work.

In 2012, he received the Ida B. Wells Award. This award came from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and the Medill School at Northwestern University. He was honored on January 17, 2013, at the NABJ's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. This event took place at the Newseum in Washington, D. C.

Gregory Lee Jr., who was NABJ President, praised Prince. He said Prince "speaks truth to power." He added that Prince's columns remind news leaders about the importance of diversity. They also highlight the need to include everyone in news coverage. Lee Jr. called Prince a "watchdog" whose reporting often starts important conversations and leads to action.

In 2010, Richard Prince was honored with the Robert McGruder Award. This award from Kent State University recognized his efforts to promote diversity in the news business. He also received a P.E.N. Oakland award that year.