Representation and proximity: changing the storytellers of record

In order to better serve diverse global audiences and foster the sustainability of the journalism industry, there is a pressing need to diversify the storytellers shaping our narratives. This dynamic panel will feature women leaders in newsrooms who are actively reshaping paradigms, introducing fresh perspectives to editorial decisions, and amplifying bold new voices in discussions on our most pressing challenges.

Meet the trailblazers:

Cristi Hegranes, Global Press. Cristi's organization trains and employs local women journalists in some of the world's least-covered places. By prioritizing proximity, access, and local knowledge, Global Press tells stories that not only serve local communities but also resonate with a global audience.

Yukari Kane, Prison Journalism Project. Yukari is dedicated to shifting the narrative on the criminal justice system. The Prison Journalism Project trains incarcerated writers, allowing them to tell the stories of what's happening inside their own communities, thereby elevating the voices of those most impacted by the system.

Akoto Ofori-Atta, Capital B. Akoto's organisation centers Black voices and collaborates closely with the communities it serves. It seeks to counteract misinformation, disinformation, and low-quality news by providing a high-context antidote to the issues clouding our information pipelines.

These three newsroom pioneers are collectively changing the storyteller and rewriting the narrative to produce news that informs and engages communities. Moderated by Jennifer Humke, Senior Program Officer in Journalism and Media at the MacArthur Foundation, this panel will reflect on the opportunities and challenges of building newsrooms that prioritize inclusion and take editorial direction from the communities they serve.

Organised in association with Global Press.