#StopAsianHate Voices from Asian America: Journalists talk about effects of hate on their hob

Minnesota Public Radio / Twitter

AAPI journalists find themselves between a rock and a hard place when covering the recent wave of hate crimes against Asians. 

Journalists are taught to remain objective when covering a story. However, Asian American journalists are finding it hard to do when the attacks against Asians increase and grow more violent, occurring almost daily and the victims look like our parents or grandparents.

A major part of Bay Area's KGO reporter/anchor Dion Lim's beat is talking to victims and their families after the crimes have been committed. “As a journalist, you want people to trust you and share and believe in you enough to tell their story that it’s a privilege,” she told The Wrap. “But then, on the other hand, it’s almost like a burden to bear.”

"I feel fortunate to be in a role where I can help continue to bring these stories to a wider audience, and I feel inspired by this new generation of young activists who are using their voices to lead important discussions while organizing in their cities," said NBC's Vicky Nguyen in an interview with People. "I also feel energized by longtime activists like Amanda Nguyen, who has helped sphere head this movement to combat COVID racism, which is still being wildly underreported."

"AAJA commends journalists who have championed coverage of our communities by pitching and advocating for the stories of our community to be told," said a statement from the Asian American Journalists Association. ... "We are thankful that their journalism brings context and nuance to a topic that can be difficult to discuss."

Below, AAPI journalists from CBS  talk about how the anti-Asian sentiment has affected them personally and how they do their job.

Despite the number of AAPI journalists, mainstream media has generally not recognized the rise of Asian hate violence. "We have been miserably late," journalist Connie Chung told CNN. "We are insignificant, and it's so apparent to all of us who are Asian."

The veteran journalist told CNN that "anti-Asian hate started the moment it came out of President Trump's mouth," adding that it started picking up the moment Trump called Covid-19 The China Virus or the Kung Flu.

Below, CNN's Amara Walker describes three back-to-back racist encounters she experienced at New Orleans International Airport.

"I'm shaking right now," she said.

Lisa Ling (below), host of "This Is Live," is interviewed by CNN's Erin Burnett.

The Asian American Journalists Association has put out guidelines for media encouraging them to let their AAPI staff cover these stories because oftentimes, they can get the witnesses or victims open up to them because they are also Asian.

"Meet the Press" with Chuck Todd apparently get the AAJA memo. Last Sunday, the MSNBC host's topic was the anti-Asian attacks afflicting the AAPI community with the Georgia mass shooting where six of the eight victims were Asian women as its centerpiece. For some unexplainable reason, not one of his guests was an AAPI.

For the information of readers for this blog, "Views From the Edge," is not compelled to remain objective. We allow our feelings and opinions seep into our coverage. After three decades of community and mainstream journalism, the compunction to show both sides of a story sometimes dilutes the true meaning and impact of the issue at hand, especially when the "other side" has no merit.

Towards the end of my career, as a columnist and editorial writer, I was allowed and paid to express these "opinions," which I continue to do with this personal blog.

That's why at the end of most of our opinions on the news, we often leave this message and warning:

Word of Caution: This posting is news laced with opinion. Readers are encouraged to seek multiple news outlets to form their own opinion.