Who is journalism for?

Who is journalism for?

From Backlight by Lighthouse Reports

July 30, 2025 · 31 min · Season 3 · Episode 9

About this episode

The episode explores how journalists can better reach and serve the communities they report on.

How can journalists make sure their stories reach the people they’re about? This month on Backlight, we talk to journalists who are rethinking how and who they report for. Part 1: Beatriz and Tessa speak with Cynthia Gichiri, a multimedia journalist at Africa Uncensored, who took a story about the health dangers of pesticides on the road through rural Kenya to get it to the farmers most at risk. Part 2: A conversation with Mazin Sidahmed, who co-founded Documented, a newsroom that was designed from the ground up to serve immigrant communities in New York City in the languages they speak on the platforms they already use. Part 3: 5 practical things journalists at any outlet can do to make sure their reporting reaches affected communities. Investigations mentioned: Cynthia’s ‘Poison PR’ documentary Hosts: Beatriz Ramalho da Silva, Tessa Pang Sound Design: Spoovio - Audiovisual Productions Website - Twitter - BlueSky - and you can email us at backlight@lighthousereports.com

People in this episode

Hosts: Beatriz Ramalho da Silva, Tessa Pang

Guests: Cynthia Gichiri, Mazin Sidahmed

Topics covered

  • journalism
  • community engagement
  • immigrant issues
  • health reporting
  • pesticides
  • media accessibility

Keywords

  • journalism
  • community
  • immigrants
  • pesticides
  • health
  • media

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Africa Uncensored, Documented

Books & works: Poison PR

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