6 tips for journalists who want to make positive changes

It is not unusual that journalists want their reporting to lead to positive changes. But how can you promote important causes through your work without affecting professional integrity – and while maintaining a sustainable career?

As reporters show today, several approaches are possible.

In 2020, two Israeli researchers identified, which they described as “obsessive-activist” journalists who are motivated by a strong sense of justice and crowded to changes in two ways. First, as journalists, to report on the questions that are important to them; And second in personal function through activities such as lobbying of politicians or help from people in need. As long as these reporters remain professional, you can do an important public service, said the co-author of the study, ZVI Reich, Associate Professor and Chairman of the Ministry of Communication Sciences at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

In the meantime, students at London College of Communication can strive for a master's degree in journalism for social justice, which is defined as “journalism who wants to make the world a better place”. According to Vivienne Francis, director of One World Media and senior lecturer at the school, the route was created in response to questions such as climate change, migration and human rights.

Harriet Grant is a freelancer based in Great Britain who covers social affairs and human rights and focuses on the rights of the children. It has long been listed for the opened Tenacious Journalism Awards who recognize that journalists have a positive effect on social effects in the UK, but does not see itself as an activist, but she has certain goals for social changes for her work. “I try to approach these goals openly,” she said. “For example, if you report on children and games, I see evidence that you need better protection in planning law. So I'm looking for stories that help me examine it and look at possible answers. “

Francis, Grant and Reich shared advice on how journalists can approach their reporting in efforts to change the positive change. Here are some highlights:

(1) adhere to the most important principles

It is crucial that journalists who work for causes comply with the core provisions of the profession.

“You have to remember the basic principles of journalism […] Ask truth, accuracy, critical questions […] We can't lose sight of it, ”said Francis.

Reich, who worked as a journalist for 14 years before he entered science, said that the reinforcement of the truth is “the greatest public interest” today: “The news environment is flooded by self -interest and fake news, so that we have to be very strict between everything that goes beyond simple commitment to facts.”

(2) Recognize distortions and encompass transparency

We all regularly take up positions to ask whether we recognize it or not, so, Grant.

“You can be seen as radical and” campaign “when you contact [on] Things that challenge the status quo, ”she said. “It is important to remember that it takes a position to assume that the status quo is the right one.”

Similarly, we bring all of our prejudices into a story, noted; The key is to be transparent about where we are. “Today they would not admit a supermarket that is not very clear in terms of the ingredients,” said Reich. Journalists should offer similar transparency in their reporting. “It is a new standard of consumption of information,” he added.

To recognize their prejudices, they go out of their echo chamber, suggested Francis. Read a variety of sources and conduct debates with those who have different opinions. This also offers the possibility to see whether your positions of the examination withstand.

It is important that it can help you better to get better information and make your story stronger when looking for views. “Don't be afraid to really have the other point of view really strong in the piece,” said Grant. “Find your balance and let people judge the facts.”

If you set a position in a story, ask yourself:

1. What's wrong with my argument?
2. What would other people say?

(3) Talk to the people directly affected – and carry out strict research

When you start in journalism of social justice, you talk to people who are directly affected by the topic: “You cannot have a better starting place than the people on site, the people who live and inhale these problems.”

Journalists who focus on a certain thing should always strive to provide a new analysis or new information in their reporting and try to sharpen their expertise regularly, said Reich. “This is a very big challenge. It does not make regular routine journalism […] I talk about very ambitious commitment over time and become an enthusiastic learner. ”

(4) Build strong relationships – but remember you are the journalist

Creating strong relationships with sources and participants is the key to journalism. However, it can be more difficult. However, if you are a specialist who deals with the same problem for many years as you are often in contact with the same people, in some cases that make friendships, said Grant.

“It is difficult. Sometimes you have to push back a little and say: 'I am the journalist and I decide how this is framed and written. “

(5) Be aware of the challenges

Obsessive-activist journalists are very rare, said Reich. They are mainly experienced specialists who have been disappointed by conventional journalism. Now you know the rules and […] You have the resources to break the rules and make your own. ”

Although it is a career path that can be very fulfilling, it is not easy. “There is no manual for how to build an obsessive-activist career,” he said.

The reporting on topics with social justice can attract skepticism from others in the media and the hostility of readers. It is crucial to have a support system if a flood of setbacks is due, Francis said. “Also within the industry, [social justice journalism] is seen as [not] be worthy or [as] real journalism, that's it [often] Open for additional classes of criticism. ”

(6) Remember that it makes a difference

Provided that they are transparent and recognize facts that contradict their position, journalists who want to highlight a problem can offer a valuable public service, said Reich.

“It may sound a bit idealistic, but I think that [social justice] Journalism, well done, has the power to drive changes, ”said Francis. It can improve how we report stories of all kinds, for example by combating stereotypes, combating underrepresentation or working with people in need of protection.

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Photo on Pxels by Marcus Aurelius.