Is it enough to have LGBTQ representation based solely on sexual/gender identity, or is it more important that they be “obviously” LGBTQ? What constitutes diversity in a newsroom and on-air. What does representation mean?
Speakers: Dell Alänn, Bob Bicknell, Ramon Escobar, Luis Giraldo, Eden Lane
DELL ALÄNN is a producer for CBS News in Los Angeles. He’s been with the network for five years and, prior to joining CBS, he worked in various news markets and was an assignment producer at NBC News. Alänn is a native of New Jersey. He is a proud Pirate and graduate of East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina.
BOB BICKNELL is the senior executive producer for CBS Newspath – CBS News, a satellite news gathering organization, which provides news and information to 200-plus CBS affiliates nationwide and to broadcasters around the world. Previously, Bicknell was a senior producer and producer for Newspath, writing and producing correspondent coverage of breaking news, including the 2012 presidential campaigns and election night. During his 18 years at CBS, he also served as senior producer/managing editor of “The Early Show” and senior producer for “CBS News Up to the Minute,” formerly the network’s overnight news broadcast. He began his career at CBS writing, producing and editing for “Up to the Minute,” while concurrently filing daily as the nationally syndicated technology reporter for KYW-AM in Philadelphia. Bicknell is a graduate of the University of Delaware. He lives in New Jersey with his partner, son and daughter.
RAMON ESCOBAR is vice president of talent recruitment and development for CNN Worldwide. He is responsible for the recruitment of all on and off-air talent for CNN U.S., CNN International, CNN en Español and HLN. He also advances the internal development of all anchors, correspondents, contributors and producers. Escobar is based out of New York City and has held his position of vice president of talent recruitment and development since 2012. He also served as the vice president of diversity and inclusion for CNN Worldwide from January 2017 to June 2019, and continues to play a vital role in diversity and inclusion efforts for WarnerMedia News and Sports, the parent company of CNN.
LUIS GIRALDO is a digital journalist at “48 Hours” and CBS News. His content appears on prime-time television, CBSNews.com and all its platforms — from social media to CBS Audio News. At CBS, Giraldo has contributed to historic programming such as “Change and Challenge: The Inauguration of Donald Trump,” the 2016 Pulse Night club network coverage in Orlando and the Murrow Award-winning documentary “39 Days.” Giraldo spent the last year developing podcasts for CBS News and “48 Hours.” For his latest project, he teamed up with the legendary Erin Moriarty for her “My Life of Crime” podcast. Giraldo was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and moved to the United States at age 9, calling Fort Myers, Florida, home. He obtained his degrees in telecommunications, violin performance and Spanish at the University of Florida.
EDEN LANE is a freelance journalist based in Denver. Since covering the Democratic National Convention in 2008, Lane is often cited as America’s first transgender TV reporter. She is the host and producer of the weekly series “In Focus with Eden Lane,” which has featured over 350 original episodes spotlighting artists and arts organizations across the Rocky Mountain West.
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