INTERSECTIONALITY REPORTING CHECKLIST:
Race, Gender, Class, Sexual Orientation, Ability, Religion, Age, Nationality,
Language, Ethnicity, Identity, LGBTQIA+, Visa/Citizenship Status etc.
Am I actively seeking stories that reflect intersectional identities?
How am I ensuring that my own background and inherent bias do not
overshadow the narratives I’m reporting?
Have I portrayed the individuals and issues with complexity and depth,
avoiding oversimplification?
EXAMPLE: Instead of reporting a story about a marginalised community solely
in terms of crime rates, explore the broader context. Contextualise the story by
considering their cultural heritage, positive contributions, systemic challenges
they face, and ongoing efforts for social justice and community development.
Are the editorial and production teams reflective of the diversity I aim to
report? If not, what steps can I take to minimise the potential risk this can
pose to the final outcome?
Do my stories provide the necessary context around potential systemic
and individual nuances of power and privilege?
Is the coverage of marginalised communities done with respect, depth,
and frequency?
In what ways am I challenging prevalent narratives and providing a
platform for change that elevates First Nations and other negatively
racialised voices and stories rather than unconsciously adding to a deficit
or patronising tone that often perpetuates harmful stereotypes around
First Nations and other negatively racialised communities?
"The intersectional approach,
however, recognises that there
are particular consequences
when two or more forms
of discrimination interact.
Conceptualising discrimination
on the basis of a single attribute
in isolation hinders our ability to
respond effectively."
—
Australian Human
Rights Commission
| CHAPTER 02
By reflecting on these questions,
journalists and other media professionals
can better navigate the multifaceted
landscape of intersectionality within
Australian journalism, leading to richer,
more impactful storytelling that honours
the full spectrum of human experience.
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The Privilege Walk
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