Thread by @parrillaga

1/13. As a journalist of color who worked for @AP for almost 30 years as a reporter & manager, I’ve been troubled by what happened with Emily Wilder. There’s a lot I could say about this incident (and some things I have already said), but here my goal is something else:

2. I’m issuing a challenge to my old shop and other outlets to begin taking some actual steps to address the root of the problem: Social media policies – how they're written & by whom, how they're governed, how they're applied & patrolled, & how violations are punished ...

3. go to the very heart of issues surrounding diversity, equity, inclusion & IDENTITY in the newsroom. These policies inherently single out journalists of color or those with distinct lived experiences – those very qualities that make these individuals and their voices vital

4. to newsrooms today. Nope, they’re told, you can’t be Black and include #BlackLivesMatters in your twitter bio or show support for Black lives. Nope, they’re told, you can’t tweet about personal experiences with sexual assault and then cover #MeToo.

5. Nope, you can’t tweet about media objectivity or retweet about #Palestine and keep your job as an entry-level AP employee without a second chance to learn and grow and to help your employer learn and grow, too.

6. These policies are especially in conflict with today’s young journalists who question how can I be me – a person of color or from an underserved community or who cares deeply about human rights – but also be a journalist?

7. How can I be true to myself as a human being and true to the company I go to work for? These are issues discussed every day in the halls of journalism schools across this nation. It’s time for that conversation to be taken up by professional newsrooms in a thoughtful manner.

8. Crazy idea: What if @AP chose to LEAD on this much-needed transformation? What if the AP acknowledged there are inherent flaws in these policies - and, in particular, with how they are governed and applied - and worked to be an industry leader

9. on writing social media policies that work for today’s journalists and today’s world of journalism? I’m not talking about a typical “committee” composed of high-ranking managers who often march to the beat of the same drum.

10. But a workgroup that would bring differing views and experiences to the table: A young AP journalist right out of college and reporters (not managers) of color in addition to a few of those high-ranking managers who ultimately help make the decisions.

11. How about seeking the input of those researching this and trying to find ways to better define “objectivity” and balance necessary policies that ensure a news org’s reputation and credibility with the experiences of those entering journalism?

12. This is an opportunity to make real and lasting change. To do the right thing. To ask some hard questions and try to come up with some innovative answers.

13. I’m just sorry it came at the cost of leading a promising young journalist to the door instead of taking the time to recognize this moment for what it was: A moment to teach - but also to learn.