Thread by @eldeluigi, We're about to get rolling! This year's Atkinson's lecture will be from [...]

We're about to get rolling! This year's Atkinson's lecture will be from @balkissoon, the executive editor for @Chatelaine. #Atkinson2020

Denise will be speaking about how marginalized journalists have always questioned the concept of objectivity...

Whether it's possible, whether it's useful, and what role it plays in keeping certain stories untold.

. @balkissoon begins by talking about Doris Anderson, who was the editor for @Chatelaine from 1957 to 1977. She praised Anderson for being purposeful by including topics in the magazine that gave female journalists space when that did not always happen. #Atkinson2020

. @balkissoon said she believes objectivity is not entirely possible. She notes that racialized and marginalized journalists, including herself, have been told this statement throughout their careers based on how they write their stories. #Atkinson2020

"Objectivity is a privilege afforded to white journalists." - @balkissoon #Atkinson2020

Objectivity broke into the mainstream. Marginalized and racialized journalists have been speaking out about the language around reporting on police shootings. #Atkinson2020

. @balkissoon said objectivity has played a "very big role" in making sure certain stories don't get told or get mistold in the mainstream media.

. @balkissoon stressed that a newsroom should be representative of all communities, not only white reporters. It should also address "the view from nowhere."

When certain stories are not told, it ensures other stories are mistold, said @balkissoon. #Atkinson2020

. @balkissoon questioned what would happen if publications gave reporters more time and money to work on stories they believe in and know to be true. #Atkinson2020

. @balkissoon said she believes journalists should be independent of their publication even when part of a newsroom. #Atkinson2020

Fairness and independence are excellent qualities for journalists, said @balkissoon. #Atkinson2020

. @balkissoon said she disagrees with the notion of reporters walking into stories with blank notebooks, adding that it's dangerous and it suggests reporters shouldn't use their expertise when reporting on stories. #Atkinson2020

. @balkissoon said she doesn't think it's fair for journalists to tell their audience about topics they believe are not true. She adds that she thinks it contributes to misinformation since experts are now "scoffed at."

. @balkissoon reiterates objectivity is harmful but some qualities are still useful. Stresses shoring up the idea of expertise is a crucial task & journalists should explain to their audience why they are speaking to certain experts and why they should be trusted. #Atkinson2020

. @balkissoon finished off her talk by saying reporters need to see the mud on their own shoes, noting journalists are not reporting from a "view from nowhere" as long as they know it's grounded in fact. "There's mud on our shoes and we can't pretend it's not there." #Atkinson2020

That's a wrap for the lecture! Now on to the Q/A. #Atkinson2020

First up, a question from a participant.

"What are the ways in which journalists can increase their objectivity without ignoring their own knowledge and expertise?"

@balkissoon said this is why equitable newsrooms are valuable.

#Atkinson2020

The second question is about young reporters trying to get into the industry and not wanting to feel their voices are stifled.

@balkissoon notes many young reporters have difficulty getting staff positions.

#Atkinson2020

The next question is about expertise. @balkissoon stresses reporters should not deny their expertise but should use it to cultivate sources. #Atkinson2020

. @balkissoon said she believes media literacy should come out in reporters' stories. #Atkinson2020

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