Education writers: Get advice on diversifying sourcing, coverage at Journalism Institute panel discussion, Aug. 20
Education reporters have witnessed and documented the enormous effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on students, parents, teachers, administrators, and their communities. But with so many voices -- and with policies so quickly changing in response to the ongoing pandemic -- how can an education reporter lift the voices of those most impacted?
For an answer, join a virtual discussion,“Think outside the classroom: How to diversify education sources and the stories we tell,” to be offered by the National Press Club Journalism Institute from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20.
A distinguished panel of veteran education reporters and editors will share their techniques for finding and shaping stories driven by the voices of those underrepresented in education coverage, including families of color, students with disabilities, rural residents, families experiencing homelessness, and others facing circumstances that impact their learning.
Participants in the session will learn how to:
- Move from authority-driven sourcing and framing to community-driven sourcing and framing.
- Avoid tokenism and stereotypes: Listen for and represent the truth between the extremes of success and despair in underrepresented communities.
- Cover dailies and in-depth stories with sensitivity, respect and completeness.
Panelists will be:
- Eva-Marie Ayala, a veteran education reporter and the editor of The Dallas Morning News’ Education Lab.
- Shelly Conlon, watchdog coach for three newsrooms with The Argus Leader (South Dakota).
- Delece Smith-Barrow, education editor at POLITICO.
- Bianca Vazquez Toness, a member of The Boston Globe’s educational equity team.
The program will be moderated by Kara Arundel, a National Press Club member and K-12 education reporter for Industry Dive who has covered education locally and nationally.
The Institute is offering this program at no cost thanks to a generous grant from the Gannett Foundation. If you have questions about this program, please email Beth Francesco, Institute senior director, at [email protected]