ThreeSixty Journalism
Beginning in 2017, the Center for Prevention has partnered with ThreeSixty Journalism at their annual TV Broadcast and News Reporter camps to empower the next generation of diverse storytellers and change the dominate narrative on health. ThreeSixty Journalism, a nonprofit program at the University of St. Thomas, uses the principles of strong writing and reporting to help Minnesota youth tell the stories of their lives and communities.
High school students who participate in the multimedia journalism camps have the opportunity to strengthen their writing and communication skills, work directly with some of the industry’s leading media professionals, and draw on their own life experiences to tell stories related to health equity.
Students report on community-led solutions to health inequities that are related to the overarching camp theme. Themes have included Mental Health (2023), Holistic Health Equity (2022), Racism as a Public Health Crisis (2021, 2020), Culturally-based Physical Activity (2019), and Health Equity in Minnesota (2018, 2017).
The voices of communities most impacted by health inequities are frequently underrepresented in media decision-making and coverage. ThreeSixty Journalism and the Center for Prevention are working together to change the mainstream health narrative by giving voice to those most impacted by inequity, creating greater understanding of why health inequities happen, and empowering the next generation of storytellers.
Representation matters, and all too often, false narratives and implicit bias influence how the media portrays Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC). The power of narrative can be invisible and easily overlooked. Yet, it ensures that gaps in health for communities facing the greatest inequities persist. Dominant narratives impact and reinforce policies and systems that can perpetuate systemic racism and result in continued health inequities for marginalized communities.
Television newsrooms remain among the least diverse workplaces in our country and this has profound ramifications for communities of color. A 2018 analysis conducted by the Pew Research Center found that over three-quarters (77%) of newsroom employees are white, compared with about two-thirds of all U.S. workers. In addition, white men make up about half of newsroom staff, compared with about a third of the overall workforce.
Blue Cross believes that addressing the implicit bias in reporting and increasing positive and accurate representations of BIPOC communities in mainstream media is integral to health equity. In addition, BIPOC communities need pathways to share their own stories.
Through the collaboration with ThreeSixty, Blue Cross is working to empower the next generation of journalists, change the dominant narrative on health and create a heathier future for generations yet to come.
2023 TV Broadcast Camp Final Packages
Indian Health Board
By Everett Parker, Eagan High School
Anchor: Legend Primus
Coaching Team: KARE-11
Gender Care Services
By Devyne Duorshola
Anchor: Everett Parker, Eagan High School
Coaching Team: Lindsey Seavert Studios
Hennepin County
By Fatima Abdurahman, Rosemount High School and Amira Mohamud, Wayzata High School
Anchor: J’Angelo Moore
Coaching Team: FOX-9
Rural Behavioral Health
By J’Angelo Moore
Anchors: Fatima Abdurahman and Amira Mohamud
Coaching Team: University of St. Thomas and University of Minnesota
Lung Mind Alliance and Mental Health Resources
By Legend Primus, Roseville Area High School
Anchor: Aliyah Baker
Coaching Team: Associated Press
MN Department of Human Services
By Brianna Bergin, Southwest High School
Anchor: Aliyah Baker
Coaching Team: KSTP Anchor
Esperanza United
By Christina Wilson, Eden Prairie High School
Anchor: Devyne Duroshola
Coaching Team: University of Minnesota
Esperanza United
By Aliyah Baker, Roosevelt High School
Anchor: Brianna Bergen
Coaching Team: WCCO Anchor
