THE FIRST ITALIAN DIVERSITY EDITOR
Interview with Pasquale Quaranta of La Stampa who fights for inclusion in the media
No one would ever tell to a Vaticanist not to cover the Pope, or to a motor journalist to follow economics. For a journalist covering LGBTQ+ issues, on the other hand, is an ‘advice’ that comes frequently. There is still a long way to go in identifying prejudices towards diversity, but fortunately someone has started. It is the newspaper La Stampa, which has chosen the first Italian Diversity Editor: Pasquale Quaranta. A job he does with commitment.
What were your emotions when you were appointed Diversity Editor of La Stampa? Pride? Surprise?
I would say pride. The challenge we are facing concerns not only a discriminated minority, but a broader issue, related to democracy. The media play a crucial role in shaping the political and social evolution of the country. It is essential that journalists inform without discriminating, otherwise we risk perpetuating harmful stereotypes. To promote inclusive journalism, it is essential to rediscover the heart of our profession: listening to people. As Diversity Editor, I work to raising awareness with colleagues to respect words, because respect comes through language. For example, we consider how people with disabilities or migrant backgrounds are often defined by one aspect of their lives, perpetuating prejudices. This is my main commitment in the editorial office. The ‘Diversity Editor’ column and the articles I write, try to dialogue and give voice to associations, leaders, influencers and digital creators.
What were the first steps?
Last year, for the first time, La Stampa participated to Torino Pride and this year for the first time it also published the newspaper’s logo in rainbow colors. These are symbolic gestures that express a clear position on civil rights. However, the biggest work is taking place within the editorial staff, with daily discussions with colleagues and the launch of courses as part of the mandatory journalism training. The first one will start in October and will symbolically take place in the La Stampa headquarters. Another will follow, in November, at the headquarters of the Subalpine Press Association, and a third in December at the Lombroso Centre in Turin. We will talk about disability, LGBTQ+ people, rationalized people, neurodivergence, ageism, to name but a few topics.
What are the objectives you set yourself with La Stampa? Do you follow an editorial line?
I was inspired by international best practices, such as Krissah Thompson at the Washington Post. I have been with the Gedi group for ten years, and the example of some colleagues has encouraged me to move forward. One of them is Anna Masera, who was Public Editor at La Stampa, the guarantor of readers. I would like to continue to organize training courses for women journalists, to make the whole editorial staff aware of diversity issues. It will be a long journey, which I will summarize by trying to create guidelines for the newspaper, a sort of ‘rainbow deontological charter’, which I will also propose to the Order of Journalists, with the hope that it will be incorporated in the Testo Unico dei Doveri.
What is your vision of diversity in Italy?
We are still in a diversity literacy phase. The results of the latest Diversity Media Report show that the issue of ethnicity is insufficiently and negatively addressed in Italy, although there is an improvement in the approach towards the LGBTQ+ community. However, this is not enough. The media must focus on giving a voice to underrepresented communities. In this sense, La Stampa is ahead of other newspapers, both in media representation and in the actual experience of the people involved in the newspaper, but it is clear that there is still much work to be done.