Journalism’s DEI Momentum Erodes: What the Recent Retreat Shows

The Nieman Lab reports a troubling reversal of momentum in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within journalism, signalling that gains made after the 2020 racial reckoning are rapidly eroding. Initial promises of reform are increasingly being replaced by cutbacks, silence, or symbolic gestures.

One striking indicator is the collapse of demand for DEI training. The Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, which at the height of 2020 delivered more than 20 newsroom trainings in a single month, now projects no income from such work in 2025. This drastic decline underscores how quickly institutional interest has waned.

Between 2020 and 2024, at least 169 newsroom jobs tied to race, equity, or diversity were created, with many focused on coverage of marginalized communities. However, fewer than a third of these roles were leadership positions with decision-making authority. By mid-2025, around 34 per cent of these jobs had already been eliminated, highlighting the fragility of the progress.

Newsrooms are also stepping back from public accountability. Fewer outlets are publishing demographic workforce data, and there has been a noticeable decline in the presence of major organisations at journalism association conferences such as NABJ and NAHJ. In some cases, DEI departments have been rebranded under softer titles like “belonging” or “HR inclusion,” which critics argue dilutes the urgency of structural reform.

The report concludes that DEI remains vulnerable when treated as a trend rather than an institutional priority. Without strong leadership, sustainable resources, and systemic changes in pay equity, retention, and editorial control, journalism risks returning to patterns of exclusion and underrepresentation. The retreat from DEI is not only a setback for newsroom staff but also for audiences, whose voices and experiences risk being silenced once again.

Reference –

https://www.niemanlab.org/2025/09/from-reckoning-to-retreat-newsrooms-dei-efforts-are-in-decline/