Cross-Cultural Journalism and Strategic Communication

Built using the renowned, hands-on Missouri Method, this textbook prepares readers to write about and communicate with people of different backgrounds, offering real-world examples of how to practice excellent journalism and strategic communication that takes culture into account. No matter what the communication purpose, this book will help readers engage with difference and the concept of fault lines, and to identify and mitigate bias. It provides guidance on communicating the complexity inherent in issues such as crime, immigration, and sports, as well as how meaning is created through data and language choices that craft stories and strategic campaigns for communities. Above all, the book encourages readers to reconsider assumptions about race, class, gender, identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, religion, disability and age, and recognize communicators’ responsibilities in shaping national and international discussions. This new edition addresses recent significant cultural events (e.g. George Floyd’s murder, the COVID-19 pandemic and attacks on DEI), U.S. Supreme Court decisions, and adds a new chapter (Chapter 12) on Visual Communication and Artificial Intelligence. A fantastic introduction to this complex but important field, this book is perfect for students, teachers and early career communicators. The combination of a hands-on approach and pull-out boxes with the diverse voices curated by editors María E. Len-Ríos and Earnest L. Perry Jr. makes this an ideal text for the classroom and beyond.