Is Equitable Journalism a thing?

Recently, I teamed up with Cynthia Vukets volunteering to jointly speak to audiences about an under-appreciated, and not often easily understood, approach to professional practice. So far, we have had conversations with Journalists at the Toronto Star and with students at the Ryerson School of Journalism. In each instance, there was an engaging response from students and practitioners alike as they began to realize the amazing opportunities available to them to enliven their careers. 

Cynthia, who is a former Journalism student and practicing Journalist, brings her rich involvement and know-how in the field along with her strong enduring dedication to diversity and inclusion. While I share Cynthia’s passion for the wellbeing of others, I also bring years of experience in equity work, human rights, culture and organizational change. By combining our respective learning and experience we have been able to cross-pollinate an idea best described as Equitable Journalism. Through our combined perspectives we have been able to uncover the way power and privilege are acutely inscribed in practices, policies and structures and how they underwrite systemic barriers that in turn lead to significant and growing inequalities and harm. The degree of harm crystallizes even more when it is understood how volatile, unpredictable and perplexing the world around us has become and how large numbers of displaced communities have lost agency and control over their own day to day well-being. To be effective professionals in any field, we can no longer choose to be passive and or reactive or continue to subscribe to systems and organizational practices that are no longer viable or life affirming. More than ever what’s called for is a professional practice that is thoughtful, inclusive, forward thinking and transformative.  
    
We usually begin our conversations by asking “The Big Why”– what is the deep driving motivation that drives individuals to enter their field of practice.  Not surprisingly, more often than not, most people want to make a difference. 

In closing we would follow up with the question, “What more are you willing to do today, right now to make a difference?” And remarkably, many have expressed great interest in the tips and suggestions we have to offer. 

To cap and contextualize our conversation, we would end with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” In having these conversations with aspiring and practicing professionals, it has deepened our realization that by committing to become agents of positive change, you not only help to transform the lives of others and the environment, you also in turn transform and invigorate your own.    

- Mello Ayo - GBM Consultancy