Leverage creativity and interest in world events, storytelling, and media technology to help shape society. You’ll learn how journalists pitch stories, interview subjects, write news articles and maintain high ethical standards. Great for mentees who would like to be journalists.
Learning Objectives
- Defining Objectivity: Explore different interpretations and definitions of journalistic objectivity, considering its historical evolution and contemporary relevance.
- Ethical Considerations: Discuss ethical dilemmas and decision-making processes journalists encounter when striving to uphold objectivity in reporting.
- Bias and Perception: Examine the role of bias, both conscious and unconscious, in shaping news coverage and how it impacts public trust and perception.
- Navigating Controversies: Analyze case studies of high-profile news events where objectivity was challenged or questioned, and explore strategies for maintaining journalistic integrity.
- Emerging Trends: Discuss how digital media, social platforms, and audience engagement are reshaping perceptions of objectivity and influencing news reporting. Through expert-led sessions and collaborative activities, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in achieving and sustaining objectivity in journalistic practice. They will also develop practical skills and insights that can enhance their ability to critically evaluate news sources and contribute to informed public discourse.
Apply Now
Applications for the Spring 2025 Cycle are open!
Priority Deadline: December 31, 2024
Final Deadline: January 15, 2025
Cycle(s) Offered:
Spring 2025: March – May
Time:
3 hours per month
Areas of Focus:
Journalism, Activism, Career Development, Media, Nonfiction
Requirements:
- Complete 2 one-hour pair sessions per month
- Complete the Unveiling Perspectives: Objectivity in the Modern Newsroom
- Attend at least one Community Experience per month
- Submit a multimedia journalism piece (e.g., video report, audio podcast, or interactive infographic) that explores a specific facet of journalistic objectivity, such as bias in news coverage, ethical dilemmas faced by journalists, or the impact of digital media on public perception of news.
Advocacy Journalism Journey Package
As a mentee or mentor in the Advocacy Journalism Journey, you’ll have access to an online course designed to help you learn about the impact of journalism on social justice. You’ll be paired with a mentee or mentor for one full cycle, and you’ll meet with them at least twice each month. You’ll attend at least one community engagement experience a month.
Advocacy Journalism Courses
The Advocacy Journalism Journey offers an online course that introduces the challenges and possibilities of the modern newsroom that mentees and mentors can explore in further depth in pair sessions, community engagement events, and through more journeys in future cycles.
- Unveiling Perspectives: Objectivity in the Modern Newsroom
Discover how editorial decisions impact the breadth and inclusivity of news content through selected segments from Breaking the News, a PBS Independent Lens documentary. The film explores the initial stages of nonprofit news venture The 19th*, highlighting its efforts to establish a diverse newsroom and cover significant national events.
This course is offered as a part of this journey package. If you’d like to take a course without joining a journey, click here.
Advocacy Journalism Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in the Advocacy Journalism Journey will be matched for one cycle. Pairs will meet for at least two hour-long sessions each month.
The Advocacy Journalism Journey requires two hour-long pair sessions per month. If you’d like to mentor but cannot commit to this requirement, click here.
Advocacy Journalism Community Experiences
Mentees and mentors in the Advocacy Journalism Journey must attend at least one Community Experience per month. It is strongly recommended that you attend the following Advocacy Journalism Journey meetings:
- March 15, 1-2 pm ET
- April 17, 4:30 – 6 pm ET
- May 3, 2025: 3-4 pm ET
The Advocacy Journalism Journey requires attendance at one Community Experience per month. If you’d like to attend Community Experiences but cannot commit to these requirements, click here.
Adventures
Journalism 360
Multimedia 360
Public Policy 360
Advocacy Journalism is a Journey in the Journalism 360, Multimedia, and Public Policy Adventures.
Journeys in the Journalism 360 Adventure focus on building skills to investigate, analyze, and write about world events. It is recommended for mentees and mentors who want to embrace journalistic integrity.
Journeys in the Multimedia 360 Adventure focus on creating in particular medium. It is designed for mentees and mentors who want to express ideas with digital and audio techniques.
Journeys in the Public Policy 360 Adventure focus on the ways that writing and creating can impact public policy. It is designed for those who want to learn more about how to make change in technology, reproductive health, climate change and more.
Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.
Not ready for a Journey?
If you want to be a part of the Girls Write Now Collaboratory but you aren’t ready to join a Journey, you can participate in individual writing courses, short-term mentoring services, and select community engagement experiences. See all of the options available to you below!
Writing
Take a course without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or attending community experiences.
Mentoring
Meet with a mentee or mentor without joining a journey, accessing writing courses, or attending community experiences.
Community
Attend community experiences without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or accessing writing courses.