For BIPOC journalists, the media landscape is becoming increasingly precarious. In a decision that left many stunned, MSNBC recently canceled The Katie Phang Show, a program known for its in-depth legal analysis and dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices, particularly within the AA+PI community. The decision came as part of a broader restructuring effort under the network’s new leadership, which has led to the loss of shows hosted by several non-white anchors, including Phang, Joy Reid, Alex Wagner, and Jonathan Capehart—further diminishing BIPOC representation in the newsroom. Meanwhile, Columbia Journalism Review editor Sewell Chan has raised alarms over the White House’s new restrictions on press access, breaking from long-standing traditions of transparency.

As the industry grapples with financial instability, efforts toward representation in the newsroom appear to be among the first to be cut. This mirrors a larger trend across industries such as tech and finance, in which BIPOC professionals are facing greater job insecurity. DEI-focused teams are being dismantled, coverage of marginalized communities is dwindling, and journalists of color are being pushed out—either through layoffs or untenable working conditions. The new administration’s approach to media, combined with industry-wide restructuring, is further deepening these challenges.

JoySauce sat down with a few journalists on the frontlines to explore the shifting media landscape, the obstacles facing BIPOC reporters, and the urgent need for structural changes to ensure inclusive storytelling.

The disappearance of race and identity coverage

Yoonji Han, a former journalist at Business Insider, witnessed firsthand the elimination of race and identity coverage when her Voices of Color team was disbanded last year. “After our team was laid off in January 2024, Business Insider no longer had a dedicated vertical for race and identity reporting,” Han recalls. “That said, I don’t think this type of coverage is disappearing entirely—there’s still important work being done by independent journalists and smaller publications. But it’s no longer a priority for many mainstream outlets.”

Han’s experience reflects a broader trend. As newsroom layoffs continue—many disproportionately affecting journalists of color—there are fewer reporters covering issues like systemic racism, immigration, and climate justice. “If more journalists of color lose their jobs, there will likely be fewer stories that offer different perspectives and cover the full spectrum of American life,” she notes. “And that’s a huge loss—not just for BIPOC communities, but for everyone who wants a fuller, more accurate picture of the world.”

The journalism industry has been in a state of decline for years, and the new administration has only intensified the challenges facing journalists and the publications they work for. Journalists of color are already underrepresented—making up only about 25 percent of the industry, according to a 2023 survey conducted by Pew Research Center. If newsroom layoffs continue to disproportionately impact them, the result will be an even greater lack of diverse voices in the media—a shift that Han finds deeply concerning.

Journalism’s role in countering fear-mongering

April Xu, a bilingual journalist at Documented, an independent newsroom focusing on immigration news, has long reported on the Chinese immigrant community in New York City, and she thinks the new administration’s rhetoric and policy decisions have heightened fears within vulnerable communities. “One of the key tactics of the Trump administration has been fear-mongering,” Xu says. “In my reporting, I focus not just on announcing new policies but on their actual impact. I aim to provide clarity rather than simply reinforcing an atmosphere of fear.”

April Xu works for Documented, an independent newsroom focusing on immigration news.

Ralph Thomassaint Joseph for Documented

While her nonprofit newsroom has remained committed to serving immigrant audiences, Xu recognizes that many other outlets are scaling back on ethnic media initiatives.

“A lack of culturally competent journalists means fewer accurate and nuanced stories about minority communities,” she says. “In the long run, this creates a vicious cycle—when communities are less visible in the media, they receive fewer resources and support, making their circumstances in the U.S. even more challenging.”

Job losses and shrinking opportunities for BIPOC journalists

After leaving Business Insider, Han spent a year freelancing and applying for journalism jobs before ultimately transitioning into communications at a law firm while freelancing on the side. “I applied to dozens of journalism jobs with no luck,” she admits. “It wasn’t surprising given how many incredibly talented journalists were also looking. I had to find stability elsewhere.”

For journalists of color still in the industry, surviving newsroom cuts means navigating a landscape in which DEI reporting is increasingly seen as expendable. Lynn Walsh, assistant director at Trusting News, a research and training organization that helps journalists build credibility and strengthen public trust in journalism, says that as newsrooms fight to stay afloat, diversity may take a backseat. “I worry that, as newsrooms focus on survival, diversity will be deprioritized,” she says. “But we can’t let that happen. We need to be intentional about diversity in hiring and in the voices we include in our reporting.”

Walsh emphasizes the importance of transparency in building trust, especially as the new administration challenges journalistic integrity. “Reporters need to communicate the goals of their coverage clearly,” she says. “If audiences understand that a story is meant to inform, not persuade, it can help break through misinformation and distrust.”

April Xu (middle) and her colleague Faye Qiu speaking with Chinese immigrants at the Non-Profit & Immigrant Resource Fair in Flushing, hosted by the Queens Borough President’s Office.

Documented

Freedom of the press at risk

Concerns over press freedom are also mounting. The White House Correspondents’ Association announced in February that it would no longer coordinate pooled coverage of the Trump administration after the White House declared it would determine which media outlets have access. This shift has been widely criticized as an attempt to further control the narrative and limit critical reporting. “Facts and accurate information will be challenged in ways we’ve never seen before,” Walsh cautions. “For BIPOC journalists who are already underrepresented, this environment makes it even harder to gain legitimacy and reach audiences.”

The cancellation of The Katie Phang Show and MSNBC’s broader restructuring only reinforce these anxieties. In a statement, the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) called the decision a “step backward” and emphasized the importance of keeping AA+PI voices in national newsrooms.

“As the fastest growing demographic in the nation, and at a time when AA+PI communities are growing in both buying power and political influence, sidelining our voices risks failing to capture the complexity of the issues that matter to millions of Americans,” the statement reads. “As MSNBC undergoes major transitions in the months to come, we urge the network to ensure that diversity and AA+PI voices remain a central focus in its editorial and programming decisions.”

Phang also highlights the importance of representation in her farewell statement posted on social media on Feb. 24: “I was proud to platform more AA+PI voices than any other cable show ever. And I was, and remain, proud to have been one of the only AA+PI hosts with her name on a show. Representation matters.”

A way forward: How to sustain diverse storytelling

Despite these challenges, journalists and media organizations are actively seeking solutions. Xu believes that ethnic media and nonprofit newsrooms have a critical role to play in filling the gaps left by mainstream outlets. “Local governments could provide funding for ethnic media, and journalism schools could expand coursework on reporting in minority communities,” she suggests. “We need systemic support to sustain diverse and inclusive storytelling.”

“You haven’t failed—the industry has failed you,” she says. “There are still ways to flex your journalism muscles in other fields, whether through freelance, nonprofit work, or advocacy.”

For Han, the key takeaway for BIPOC journalists is that career pivots should not be seen as failures. “You haven’t failed—the industry has failed you,” she says. “There are still ways to flex your journalism muscles in other fields, whether through freelance, nonprofit work, or advocacy.”

As newsroom layoffs, DEI cutbacks, and press restrictions continue, the fight for equitable and inclusive journalism is far from done. The stories of marginalized communities must continue to be told.