Listening to the Asian American Community
How can The Dallas Morning News better report on issues facing North Texas’ Asian American community? About a dozen reporters, editors, photographers, and other staff members of The News hosted a listening session Saturday morning at the busy Cali Saigon Mall in Garland. The team met with members of the Asian American community to better understand what they want to see from news coverage, find ways to bridge the gaps, and make staff members more accessible.
At a series of tables in the middle of the mall’s food court, roughly 40 people chatted with The News and expressed the gaps they see in news coverage and how the newspaper can work to bridge these gaps.
Why the Listening Session was Held at Cali Saigon Mall
The Cali Saigon Mall, located at 3212 N Jupiter Road, often hosts local Asian American events, many attendees said. Jennifer Nguyen, a founder of Garland’s Vietnamese-American Activity Center and whose family owns the mall, said the space hosts a number of Asian restaurants and shops. The mall often serves as a place for the local Asian American community to come together, she said, as it is a place where people can see their heritage reflected in the Dallas area.
(Stewart F. House / Special Contributor)
What the Community Wants to See from News Coverage
When The News reached out to Jennifer Nguyen about having the listening session there, she said she saw a great opportunity to bring the community together and get the ball rolling on bridge-building. “We will do whatever it takes to bring The Dallas Morning News closer to the Asian American community,” she said.
Nguyen said she wished The News covered more issues facing the Asian American community, such as mental health struggles. Nguyen said she feels the lack of Asian American representation in The News’ coverage is an issue both sides can work to address. She said if members of the Asian American community wish to see more coverage, they should reach out to The News or its reporters to request coverage.
Gaps in News Coverage and How to Bridge Them
Dr. Maria Borrinaga, who came to the event, said it is not always clear who to reach out to for story tips, and sometimes, there isn’t a follow-up when something is submitted. (For reference, anyone with a story idea can reach out directly to a reporter via email, or submit a tip through The News’ website.)
(Stewart F. House / Special Contributor)
“We do have a lot of activities, but since we don’t have that platform to advertise it and really reach out to certain communities, that’s where the gap is,” Borrinaga said.
Lack of Positive Stories and Cultural Events Coverage
Among issues with The News’ coverage of the Asian American community is a lack of positive stories about cultural events in the community, said Preeya Kalayaboon. She said she and her husband are directors of the Miss Asia America International Pageant, and while the pageant has been going on for about a decade, it and other cultural events are not always covered in The News.
(Stewart F. House / Special Contributor
