5 Lessons from Journalism on How to Uncover Social Inequities

“I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.” – Angela Davis

One of the greatest tragedies of modern journalism is the fact that the most pressing social inequities do not get the most attention. 

It’s true that what counts as the “most pressing” social inequities is rather vague and subjective. However, it is almost always true that the stories surrounding what we “should” care about and the actions we “should” take are more complex than we realize. 

Unfortunately though, most consumers of news, social media, articles, books, and podcasts have not been equipped with the right tools to truly discern the root of social inequities and how to decide what are the most effective ways of addressing them. 

So today, we’re going to expose the secrets that great journalists already know. 

You will learn how to see through the smoke and mirrors, read between the lines, and truly uncover, unravel, and make right the greatest social inequities we face today. 

Pixabay. Pexels, www.pexels.com/search/journalism/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.

#1: Follow the Money

Track financial flows to reveal power structures and economic disparities that contribute to social inequities.

Financial flows tell you who is really calling the shots. 

Even if you’re not a journalist, you can apply this principle by conducting research into the funding behind issues you’re passionate about. Who makes money when the problem persists? Who decided it was a problem and why? Do the money, messages, and actions all align?

This involves identifying sources of funding, analyzing budgets, and exploring financial relationships between entities like governments, corporations, and communities. The goal is to uncover who holds power, how that power is exercised through financial means, and how it affects different groups within society.

Steps to Implement:

1. Identify the Issue: Choose a specific social inequity you are concerned about, such as unequal access to education, healthcare disparities, or environmental injustice.
2. Research Funding Sources: Look into where the funding for key organizations or projects related to the issue comes from. This could involve investigating government budgets, corporate donations, or philanthropic grants.
3. Analyze Financial Statements: Review the financial reports or public records of these organizations. Pay attention to how money is allocated and whether the distribution of funds aligns with the needs of marginalized communities.
4. Examine Influence: Investigate any connections between financial contributors and policy decisions. Are there patterns where certain donors or funders have a disproportionate influence on policies that affect social equity?
5. Engage with Public Data: Utilize publicly available data, such as tax records, campaign finance disclosures, or budget documents. These can provide insights into where money is flowing and highlight any discrepancies or imbalances.
6. Compare and Contrast: Look for disparities in funding between different communities or groups. For example, compare the financial resources allocated to schools in affluent areas versus those in underprivileged areas.
7. Share Your Findings: Present your findings through blogs, social media, or community meetings. Use data visualizations like charts or infographics to make the information accessible and compelling.

Example of Uncovering Social Inequity:

Suppose you’re concerned about the unequal distribution of education funding in your city. You decide to “follow the money” to understand how this contributes to social inequities.

1. Identify the Issue: You’ve noticed that schools in wealthier neighborhoods seem to have more resources than those in poorer areas.
2. Research Funding Sources: You start by examining your local government’s education budget. You find that public schools are funded by both state funds and local property taxes.
3. Analyze Financial Statements: By comparing the budgets of schools in different neighborhoods, you discover that schools in wealthier areas receive significantly more funding due to higher property tax revenues.
4. Examine Influence: Further research reveals that parents in affluent areas are also able to fundraise more effectively, leading to additional resources that schools in poorer areas lack.
5. Engage with Public Data: You access and analyze public records, such as school district financial reports and property tax assessments, to gather concrete data on the funding disparities.
6. Compare and Contrast: You compare the per-student funding in schools across different neighborhoods and find a clear disparity that correlates with the socioeconomic status of each area.
7. Share Your Findings: You compile your research into a blog post with charts showing the funding disparities and suggest potential policy changes, such as equitable redistribution of funds or increased state funding for under-resourced schools.

#2: Understand Historical Context

Investigate the historical roots of current social inequities to provide context and depth to your reporting.

Understanding how past policies, practices, and societal norms have shaped present-day issues, provides you with a deeper and more informed perspective on why these inequities exist and persist. 

This helps to reveal the roots of inequality and the long-term impact of historical injustices.

You can apply this principle by researching the historical events and policies related to the social issues you care about. This might involve studying historical records, reading academic articles, or talking to people who have lived through relevant events. 

The aim is to understand the broader context that has led to the current situation, allowing you to see the connections between past and present inequalities.

Steps to Implement:

1. Identify the Issue: Choose a specific social inequity, such as racial discrimination in housing, gender wage gaps, or environmental injustice.
2. Research Historical Background: Start by researching the history related to the issue. Look into laws, policies, social movements, and historical events that have influenced the current state of affairs.
3. Consult Primary Sources: Access primary sources such as historical documents, archives, newspapers, and government records to gather firsthand information about past events and policies.
4. Seek Expert Opinions: Read works by historians, sociologists, and other scholars who have studied the issue. Their analyses can provide deeper insights into how historical factors have shaped current inequities.
5. Analyze Continuities and Changes: Identify how historical practices and policies have evolved over time and how their legacies continue to impact the issue today. Look for patterns that have persisted and those that have changed.
6. Contextualize the Present: Use your historical understanding to explain how current social inequities are rooted in past events. This can help you and others see that these issues are not isolated but part of a larger historical continuum.
7. Share and Educate: Share your findings with others, whether through writing, presentations, or discussions. Educate your community on the historical roots of the issues you’re investigating to foster a deeper understanding and more informed dialogue.

Example of Uncovering Social Inequity:

Suppose you’re concerned about racial disparities in home ownership in your city. You decide to “understand historical context” to explore how these disparities have developed over time.

1. Identify the Issue: You notice that Black and minority communities in your city have lower rates of home ownership compared to white communities.
2. Research Historical Background: You begin by researching the history of housing policies in your city and country. You discover that during the 20th century, practices like redlining—where banks and insurance companies refused to offer loans or insurance to people in certain neighborhoods, often based on race—were common.
3. Consult Primary Sources: You find historical maps, government records, and documents showing how neighborhoods were segregated and how certain areas were deemed “high risk” for investment, often coinciding with areas where Black families lived.
4. Seek Expert Opinions: You read articles and books by historians and urban studies scholars who have analyzed the long-term effects of redlining and housing discrimination.
5. Analyze Continuities and Changes: You observe that although redlining was officially banned in the late 1960s, its effects are still visible today in the form of lower property values, reduced investment, and limited access to mortgages in historically redlined areas.
6. Contextualize the Present: You use this historical context to explain how the racial disparities in home ownership today are directly linked to these discriminatory practices, which have had a lasting impact on wealth accumulation and community development.
7. Share and Educate: You create a presentation or write an article explaining how the history of redlining has contributed to the current disparities in home ownership. You may present this information at a community meeting or share it online to raise awareness and spark discussions about potential solutions.

#3: Identify Gatekeepers

Recognize and approach individuals who control access to crucial information or communities, understanding their role in either obstructing or facilitating your investigation.

Gatekeepers can be people in positions of authority, community leaders, or organizations that have the power to either obstruct or facilitate access to the information and networks you need to uncover social inequities. 

Understanding their role and establishing a relationship with them is crucial for gaining the insights and access necessary for effective investigation.

Identify and approach key individuals or organizations that hold influence over the information or communities related to the social issue you’re investigating. 

This involves building relationships, understanding their motives, and determining how they can either help or hinder your efforts. 

Steps to Implement:

1. Identify the Issue: Choose a social inequity you want to explore, such as access to healthcare, educational disparities, or workers’ rights.
2. Map Out Influencers: Research and list the key individuals, organizations, or institutions that influence or control access to the information or communities relevant to your issue. These could be local government officials, community leaders, non-profits, or even media outlets.
3. Understand Their Role: Investigate the role these gatekeepers play in the issue. Do they have the power to provide access to important data, or are they influential figures within affected communities? Understand their interests, motivations, and potential biases.
4. Approach Gatekeepers Strategically: Develop a plan to approach these gatekeepers. Consider how to present your intentions in a way that aligns with their interests or values. Building trust is key, so be transparent about your goals and respectful of their role.
5. Build Relationships: Establish and nurture relationships with gatekeepers. This might involve attending community meetings, setting up one-on-one meetings, or engaging with them through social media or other communication channels.
6. Leverage Their Influence: Once you’ve built a relationship, seek their assistance in gaining access to information, communities, or networks. They might introduce you to key individuals, grant access to restricted data, or offer insights that deepen your understanding of the issue.
7. Evaluate Their Impact: Assess how the gatekeepers’ influence affects the issue. Are they part of the solution, or do they contribute to the problem? This understanding will help you navigate the complexities of their involvement and plan your next steps.

Example of Uncovering Social Inequity:

Suppose you are concerned about disparities in access to quality healthcare in a low-income community. You decide to “identify gatekeepers” to gain access to information and communities that will help you understand and address this issue.

1. Identify the Issue: You focus on the lack of access to quality healthcare services in a low-income neighborhood in your city.
2. Map Out Influencers: You identify several potential gatekeepers, including the director of a local health clinic, a community organizer who works with low-income families, and a city council member who represents the area.
3. Understand Their Role: You research the director of the local health clinic, the community organizer, and the city council member.
4. Approach Gatekeepers Strategically: You reach out to the community organizer first, as they are likely to be more approachable and can help introduce you to the other gatekeepers. You explain your interest in understanding the healthcare challenges in the neighborhood and ask for their insights.
5. Build Relationships: You attend a community meeting organized by the community leader and begin to build rapport.
6. Leverage Their Influence: The community organizer introduces you to several families willing to share their experiences with the healthcare system. The clinic director provides anonymized data on patient demographics and common health issues in the neighborhood. The city council member shares information on upcoming policy discussions related to healthcare funding.
7. Evaluate Their Impact: Through your interactions, you realize that the clinic is underfunded due to systemic biases in healthcare funding, and the city council member has been advocating for increased resources. However, the organizer highlights that some community members distrust the healthcare system due to past neglect. This informs your understanding of the issue and helps you identify potential solutions.

#4: Focus on Impact, Not Just Exposure

Aim for your investigative work to lead to meaningful change, whether through policy reform, public awareness, or other avenues.

Uncovering social inequities should go beyond merely revealing issues. 

The goal is to drive meaningful change, whether that’s through influencing policy reform, raising public awareness, or mobilizing community action. 

It’s about ensuring that the investigation has a tangible effect, contributing to the resolution of the inequities identified.

You can apply this principle by ensuring that your efforts to uncover social inequities are paired with actions aimed at driving change. 

This involves thinking strategically about how your findings can influence decision-makers, inform the public, or empower communities to take action. 

Steps to Implement:

1. Identify the Issue: Choose a social inequity that you want to address, such as food insecurity, lack of access to education, or discrimination in the workplace.
2. Investigate Thoroughly: Conduct your research or investigation into the issue, gathering data, personal stories, and other evidence that highlight the inequity.
3. Define the Desired Impact: Before sharing your findings, decide what change you want to achieve. Do you want to push for policy changes, increase public awareness, or empower affected communities to advocate for themselves?
4. Engage Stakeholders: Identify and engage with stakeholders who can help achieve the desired impact. This could include policymakers, community leaders, activists, or organizations working on related issues.
5. Craft a Clear Message: Tailor your findings into a compelling narrative or report that clearly communicates the issue and the specific actions that need to be taken. Ensure that your message resonates with the stakeholders and the broader public.
6. Choose the Right Platforms: Disseminate your findings through the most effective channels to reach your target audience. This could include social media, community meetings, op-eds in local newspapers, or presentations to decision-makers.
7. Mobilize Support: Work to mobilize support for the change you’re advocating. This might involve organizing community events, starting petitions, or partnering with advocacy groups to amplify your message.
8. Monitor Progress: After your findings are shared, keep track of any changes or developments. Follow up with stakeholders, continue to engage the community, and be ready to take further action if necessary.

Example of Uncovering Social Inequity:

Suppose you are concerned about the lack of healthy food options in low-income neighborhoods in your city.

1. Identify the Issue: You observe that low-income neighborhoods in your city have few grocery stores and limited access to fresh, healthy food, leading to higher rates of diet-related health problems.
2. Investigate Thoroughly: You conduct research by surveying residents, documenting the scarcity of grocery stores, and collecting data on health outcomes in these neighborhoods compared to more affluent areas.
3. Define the Desired Impact: You decide that the goal of your investigation is to advocate for the establishment of more grocery stores and farmers’ markets in these neighborhoods, as well as the creation of policies that incentivize businesses to offer healthy food options.
4. Engage Stakeholders: You reach out to local government officials, community organizations, and health advocacy groups to inform them of your findings and discuss possible solutions.
5. Craft a Clear Message: You create a report that highlights the health disparities caused by the lack of access to healthy food and propose specific policy changes, such as tax incentives for grocery stores and grants for community gardens.
6. Choose the Right Platforms: You present your findings at a city council meeting, publish an op-ed in the local newspaper, and share infographics on social media to reach a broader audience.
7. Mobilize Support: You organize a community event where residents can voice their concerns to city officials and sign a petition supporting the proposed policy changes. You also collaborate with local health organizations to run a campaign advocating for better food access.
8. Monitor Progress: After the event, you follow up with the city council to track the progress of the proposed policies. You also continue to engage the community through social media updates and additional events to ensure sustained momentum.

#5: Recognize and Address Bias

Be aware of your own biases and those present in your sources, and strive to present a balanced and fair account of the issues.

Bias can color your understanding of social issues, leading to incomplete or skewed conclusions. By actively acknowledging and addressing these biases, you can strive to present a more balanced, fair, and accurate account of the issues at hand.

So what do you need to do? 

Continuously questioning your own assumptions and critically evaluating the sources of information you use in your investigation or advocacy work. 

This involves seeking out diverse perspectives, challenging your own views, and being open to the possibility that your initial understanding of an issue might be incomplete or incorrect. 

Striving for balance and fairness is crucial when uncovering social inequities to ensure that your findings are credible and contribute constructively to the conversation.

Steps to Implement:

1. Identify the Issue: Choose a social inequity that you want to explore or address, such as disparities in educational opportunities, healthcare access, or racial discrimination in the workplace.
2. Reflect on Your Own Biases: Before diving into the issue, take a moment to reflect on your own experiences, beliefs, and assumptions that might influence your perspective. Consider how your background, culture, or personal experiences might shape your view of the issue.
3. Seek Diverse Perspectives: Actively seek out information and viewpoints from a variety of sources, including those that might challenge your own beliefs. This could involve reading materials from different cultural perspectives, interviewing people with different experiences, or consulting experts with varying viewpoints.
4. Critically Evaluate Sources: Examine the credibility and potential biases of the sources you use. Ask yourself who created the information, what their motivations might be, and whether they have a vested interest in a particular narrative.
5. Cross-Check Information: Verify the information you gather by cross-referencing it with multiple sources. Look for consistency in the facts presented and be cautious of any single-source claims that lack corroboration.
6. Challenge Your Assumptions: As you gather information, continuously challenge your initial assumptions. Be open to revising your understanding of the issue as new information comes to light.
7. Present a Balanced View: When sharing your findings, strive to present a well-rounded account of the issue. Acknowledge different perspectives, include voices from all sides, and avoid overemphasizing one viewpoint at the expense of others.
8. Invite Feedback: Share your findings with others and invite feedback, especially from those who might offer a different perspective. This can help you identify any remaining biases and further refine your understanding.

Example of Uncovering Social Inequity:

Suppose you are concerned about racial disparities in employment opportunities within your city.

1. Identify the Issue: You notice that people from certain racial backgrounds seem to have higher unemployment rates and fewer opportunities for advancement in your city.
2. Reflect on Your Own Biases: You reflect on your own background, acknowledging that your personal experiences might influence how you perceive the issue.
3. Seek Diverse Perspectives: You decide to interview a range of people, including those who have experienced racial discrimination in hiring, employers, HR professionals, and experts in employment law. You also read studies and reports from different organizations, some of which may have differing interpretations of the data.
4. Critically Evaluate Sources: As you gather information, you critically assess each source. If you read a report from a business organization claiming there’s no racial bias in hiring, you consider their potential vested interest in downplaying discrimination.
5. Cross-Check Information: You compare the claims made by different sources, looking for patterns and verifying facts across multiple reports.
6. Challenge Your Assumptions: During your research, you encounter data that suggests discrimination might be more subtle and systemic than you initially thought. This challenges your previous assumption that racial disparities in employment were primarily due to overt bias.
7. Present a Balanced View: When you share your findings, you present the evidence you’ve gathered from all sides, including stories from individuals who have faced discrimination, data showing disparities in employment, and perspectives from employers who may not see discrimination as a significant issue.
8. Invite Feedback: After presenting your findings, you share them with a diverse group, including community leaders, academics, and individuals from different backgrounds. You ask for their feedback to ensure your conclusions are fair and balanced.

To Conclude…

Ultimately, the lessons from journalism offer invaluable tools for anyone committed to uncovering and addressing social inequities. 

By following the money, understanding historical context, identifying gatekeepers, focusing on impact, and recognizing and addressing bias, you can approach these complex issues with the depth and rigor they demand. 

These principles, traditionally used by investigative journalists, empower everyday individuals to look beyond surface-level narratives and reveal the underlying structures that perpetuate inequality.

Applying these lessons doesn’t require a journalism degree; it requires curiosity, persistence, and a commitment to justice. 

Whether you’re analyzing local budgets, researching the historical roots of a social issue, or building relationships with key community leaders, you can contribute to a deeper understanding of the inequities that affect our society. 

Ultimately, the principles of investigative journalism provide a powerful framework for anyone looking to make a difference. 

They encourage us to ask tough questions, to dig deeper, and to remain focused on the broader goal of achieving equity and justice. 

In a world where social inequities are often deeply entrenched and complex, these tools can guide us toward uncovering the truth and, more importantly, toward creating a more just and equitable society.

Thought to Action

1. Study Local History: Learn about the historical events and policies that have shaped your community. Identify how these have contributed to current social inequities, such as segregation or zoning laws.
2. Create Action Plans: After uncovering an issue, develop an action plan that includes specific steps the community can take, such as petitioning for policy changes, organizing public forums, or launching awareness campaigns.
3. Diversify Information Sources: Make a habit of reading news and analysis from a wide range of perspectives. Include sources that challenge your views to ensure you’re getting a well-rounded understanding of issues.
4. Write to Elected Officials: Draft letters or emails to your local, state, or national representatives outlining the social inequities you’ve uncovered and suggesting specific policy changes to address them.
5. Start a Petition: Create a petition advocating for a specific change related to the social inequity you’re investigating. Share it with your community and encourage others to sign and share it.

Sources

Check your sources!

“Addressing the Root Causes of Inequality.” UNDP, 2019, www.undp.org/blog/addressing-root-causes-inequality. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Behar, Amitabh. “Here Are 3 Key Actions to Help Bridge the Inequality Gap.” World Economic Forum, 12 Sept. 2023, www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/09/3-key-actions-to-help-bridge-the-inequality-gap/. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Chugh, Abhinav, and World Economic Forum. “How Can the World Address Inequality? 7 Experts Explain.” World Economic Forum, 5 July 2021, www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/07/how-can-we-mitigate-inequality-7-experts-explain/. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Downman, Scott, and Kasun Ubayasiri. “Introduction to Journalism for Social Change.” Palgrave Macmillan UK EBooks, 1 Jan. 2017, pp. 1–23, link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/978-1-349-95179-6_1, https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95179-6_1. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Lewis, Mitzi, and Jeffrey C Neely. “Stories, Students, and Social Justice: Literary Journalism as a Teaching Tool for Change.” Springer EBooks, 1 Jan. 2022, pp. 293–309, link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-89420-7_19?sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=685769&awc=26429_1724039134_8327e47b9da6c8b675cf8d7ef8d026f7&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=awin&utm_campaign=CONR_BOOKS_ECOM_DE_PBOK_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&utm_content=textlink&utm_term=685769, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-89420-7_19. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Martin. “Reduce Inequality within and among Countries – United Nations Sustainable Development.” United Nations Sustainable Development, 20 Oct. 2023, www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Schmidt, Thomas R. “Challenging Journalistic Objectivity: How Journalists of Color Call for a Reckoning – Thomas R Schmidt, 2024.” Journalism, 2024, journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/14648849231160997. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Staines, Zoe, et al. “Social Science as Social Action to Address Inequalities.” Australian Journal of Social Issues, vol. 59, no. 1, 7 June 2023, pp. 108–127, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ajs4.272, https://doi.org/10.1002/ajs4.272. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

“Tips for Reporters Seeking to Reveal the Scale of Inequality.” Gijn.org, 2021, gijn.org/resource/tips-for-reporters-seeking-to-reveal-the-scale-of-inequality/. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.