

Side Effects of Journalism as Activism (with Nikole Hannah-Jones)
Jun 26, 2024
Nikole Hannah-Jones, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and founder of the 1619 Project, dives into the powerful synergy between journalism and activism. She discusses how grassroots storytelling can empower social justice movements and highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in media. The conversation critiques journalism's biases, especially regarding the Palestinian crisis, while addressing the quest for objectivity within an evolving landscape. Nikole also shares insights on the personal toll journalism can take on relationships, blending humor with profound observations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Journalism as Activism
- Nikole Hannah-Jones views journalism as inherently non-objective, aligning with the Black press tradition.
- She emphasizes objectivity of method, ensuring fairness, factual accuracy, and diverse representation, but not equating opposing views on inequality.
Oregon Experience
- Hannah-Jones's early career took her to Oregon for narrative journalism training.
- She faced challenges in Portland's "progressive" environment, struggling to get her stories on the front page due to racial bias.
Path to NYT
- Hannah-Jones's move to The New York Times resulted from connections and a former boss.
- Her expertise and prior working relationship led to a job offer at ProPublica, highlighting the importance of networking.