My name is Hannah Cook. I am an intermediate student in Auckland and I think there should be more diversity in news. Currently, there are only slim and mostly white people on the news with no disabilities or anything on their faces that makes them different or unique. We want to have different body shapes, different looks, different skin colors or ethnicity, and disabilities. 

We want diversity in the news so people all over the country don't feel bad about their bodies and looks and don't hide in the shadows. 

“For an increasingly diverse society to thrive, people need to feel a sense of belonging and inclusion. A sense of safety and celebrating the events that bring communities together.” - Quote from ( NZ herald )

“Celebrating and experiencing diversity is good for individuals and business research has proved that celebrating diversity enhances creativity, innovation, personal growth, and emotional intelligence productivity and ultimately, profit.  Perhaps this is why “ Companies that embrace diversity and inclusion of all aspects of their business statistically outperform their peers”. - ( NZ Herald )  

Companies are being more inclusive and diverse surely the media should too!

Everyone is trying to make this world inclusive for people with disabilities and differences like putting wheelchair ramps and elevators in more and more places. But people in wheelchairs and crutches and things like that will always see things differently to us.  Look at the people in the Paralympics. They have no limits and are amazing and can probably do just as well as us and probably even better but just in a different way. We should not put boundaries up or stop people who are different Physically or in their looks and body shapes and sizes we should let them do what they want to do! But say you had a slim pretty person who is considered perfect to some people you would not stop them from doing what they want to.

 You're only putting people on the news who are considered perfect and you're making people set their standards for themselves so high and then they think that they have to look perfect and skinny. But if we start to put more diverse people on the news people will start to accept themselves for who they are. This may reduce bullying, and lead to acceptance in our community.

You talk about our country being diverse and inclusive but how is it diverse if everyone on the news is the same! White, skinny, and perfect? We need diversity and it is not going to happen by itself. You can't just wait around and talk about diversity, you actually need to do something about it and put diversity into action. And what better way to put it into action than by allowing diversity into mainstream media!

People watch the news every day all around the country and I think that it is important that we come out of our shadows and show the diversity that our country has. We can't just hide. We need to speak up and do what we want to do whether that is being on the news or working in retail. You need to show your diversity and embrace your differences, ethnicity, skin colors, or scars you have. And our country needs to embrace who it is and be proud of who we are. 

- Sincerely Hannah Cook