Analyzing the Tulsa Analyzing the Tulsa WorldWorld

Reporting on Native Americans in the Heart of

Indian Country

Tulsa, OklahomaTulsa, Oklahoma

A city in the puddles of the Trail of Tears, Tulsa is A city in the puddles of the Trail of Tears, Tulsa is home to nearly 15,000 Native Americans, and is one home to nearly 15,000 Native Americans, and is one of the largest centers of Urban Indians in the country.of the largest centers of Urban Indians in the country.

Native Americans make up 4% of Tulsa’s total Native Americans make up 4% of Tulsa’s total populationpopulation

The Tulsa WorldThe Tulsa World

Founded in 1905Founded in 1905 160,000 to 220,000 160,000 to 220,000

daily subscriptionsdaily subscriptions Adequate quality Adequate quality

writing for a 21st writing for a 21st century newspapercentury newspaper

Regular coverage of a Regular coverage of a wide range of Native wide range of Native American issuesAmerican issues

The Research

A critical look at 35 A critical look at 35 articles that ran in articles that ran in the Tulsa World, the the Tulsa World, the

earliest dated earliest dated 8/26/2006, the latest 8/26/2006, the latest

12/18/06.12/18/06.

The majority ran in The majority ran in the news section, with the news section, with four making the front four making the front

page.page.

19 stories quoted non-Native 19 stories quoted non-Native sourcessources

And the verdict…And the verdict…

SAN FRANCISCO- A team of SFSU media research students found the reporting of the Tulsa World on issues concerning Native Americans to be of goodquality, balanced with a clear and accurate knowledge of the Native population of Tulsa city and county. Although there are some issues of concern, the team found that overall coverage of Native Americans reflected professional reporting techniques and an educated editorial staff.

THE WORLD IS FAIR!

Coverage Reflective of the Coverage Reflective of the PopulationPopulation

Wide range of topics, from history to urban Wide range of topics, from history to urban issues to educationissues to education

Of the few datelines, most were marked Of the few datelines, most were marked Tahlequah, the seat of power for the Cherokee Tahlequah, the seat of power for the Cherokee NationNation

Daily press, in print and online, reflect the Daily press, in print and online, reflect the range of reporting on the numerous issues range of reporting on the numerous issues facing Native Americans, tribal and urbanfacing Native Americans, tribal and urban

The Cherokee NationThe Cherokee Nation The second largest tribe in AmericaThe second largest tribe in America Federally recognized, the Cherokee Nation Federally recognized, the Cherokee Nation

governs its own lands and people.governs its own lands and people. The Cherokee PhoenixThe Cherokee Phoenix

Fair and balancedFair and balanced

Most articles relied on at least one Native Most articles relied on at least one Native sourcesource

Majority of articles were over 500 words, 3 Majority of articles were over 500 words, 3 over 1000over 1000

Mostly neutral or positive tone, with no Mostly neutral or positive tone, with no stereotypical languagestereotypical language

Image and information creditsImage and information credits

http://www.cityoftulsa.org/http://www.cityoftulsa.org/ http://www.tulsaworld.com/http://www.tulsaworld.com/ http://www.http://www.cherokeecherokee.org/.org/ http://www.census.http://www.census.gov/gov/

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