Journalism Justice: Journalists on campus need to do more to accurately represent historically marginalized communities.

Riley Weeks

Senior Project Advisor

Carolyn Nielsen

Document Type

Project

Publication Date

Spring 2024

Keywords

journalism, social justice, solutions, advocacy

Abstract

This project centers the voices of historically and continuously marginalized communities on Western’s campus, as well as journalists in the field that identify as being a part of a marginalized community. Their voices answer questions about how student journalists should do better to more accurately represent the communities they are covering. Through in-person interviews, written correspondence and survey-like questions, four themes emerged:

- Underrepresented sources are humans too - It is vital to build and maintain relationships with sources from underrepresented communities - Do your research - Know what you don’t know

Talking to community members and student journalists at Western also made clear that student publications recognize their storied past with underrepresented communities, but aren't providing their reporters with concrete ways to repair and rebuild relationships with those communities on campus.

This project, which also includes style, reporting and sourcing guides for reporters, is meant to serve as a resource for present and future student journalists at Western in order to create coverage that accurately reflects the communities whose stories are being told. After all, it’s just good journalism.

Department

Journalism

Type

Text

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

Link to Full Text

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