“Identification by race is pertinent: In biographical and announcement stories that involve significant, groundbreaking or historic events, such as being elected U.S. president, named to the U.S. Supreme Court or other notable occurrences. Barack Obama is the first black U.S. president. Sonia Sotomayor is the first Hispanic justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Jeremy Lin is the first American-born NBA player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent.”
And more from the Associated Press’s updated entry on “race”:
— Suspects sought by the police or missing person cases using police or other credible, detailed descriptions. The racial reference should be removed when the individual is apprehended or found. — When reporting a demonstration or disturbance involving race or such issues as civil rights or slavery.
In other situations with racial overtones, use news judgment.
Do not use racially derogatory terms unless they are part of a quotation that is essential to the story.
