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This tool kit is meant to help reporters avoid saying and using the wrong information. People are often misrepresented because reports fail to take the time to get everyone's side of the story as well as use their own bias in their writing. This tool kit will touch on helpful tips to avoid this, as well as spreading the correct information.

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How to discuss backgrounds and identities

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How to discuss backgrounds and identities

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-Ask or research how the subject would like to be described.
--"The pronouns and names used for gender-nonconforming people were
approved by the people in question." - Dashka Slater the 57 bus. This is how you should do it, have the subject confirm your research so they are comfortable.
-Stray away from harmful dominant narratives and stereotypes.
-- For example Richard is described as "hooded" in this video "Oakland California Victim in BUS BURNING FIRE". This perpetuates a harmful narrative about Black youth. Instead, you can describe Richard's arrest in a more positive way, "She found him outside, being led away in handcuffs by two uniformed police officers." This said nothing about Richard being "hooded."

-Stray away from negative and degrading words to the subject.
--Say "Always smiling,
always joking, always goofing around, whether or not it was the time for it.” -57 bus, Instead of calling someone a "attacker" (Said in the KRON video). This is important so you don't paint anyone in a negative way.

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-Describe all subjects in a positive manner.
--Ex. "Both sides did extremely well in school and were kind to their peers."
-Emphasize that the "bad guy" is a human as well. Do not let them fall under the "bad guy" persona.
-- Dashka Slater used Richard's letters in her novel to have Richard seem more nice. He was seen writing about how terrible he felt about the situation and how he would never do such a thing, "I'm not a monster, I have a big heart I never even thought of hurting anyone like the
way I hurt you." - Richard
-Get second accounts from friends/ family/any other people of the "bad guy".
--"“I sympathized with him a lot, reading his letters,” Sasha said. “It was definitely really moving, seeing his perspective.”" Other people's perspective help the reader understand how the other people feel and in this example hearing how Sasha feels about Richard helps you feel sympathy towards him, thus, making you feel positive towards both sides.
-Sustain same positive energy while writing about both subjects.
--Ex. "Sasha was hospitalized after the tragedy Richard caused. Both children were thought very highly of. Sasha was a great student and was very caring. Richard was the same, being described as...."

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Questions reporters can ask themselves to avoid BIAS

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Questions reporters can ask themselves to avoid BIAS

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-Did I write what my subject said word for word?
-Did I use any opinion based questions?
-Did I use any "I/I believe/ I think" statements?
-Will my article spread misinformation?
-Will this article confirm other's biases or will its just spread facts?
-Have I dedicated more time to gathering first hand accounts?

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Creating stories with context and nuance 

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Creating stories with context and nuance 

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-Explain both sides of the story. Gather information from both accounts and use it all.
-Fill readers in on the whole story, not just one side.
-Avoid words like attacker, victim, offender, etc. Try using the subjects name while explaining the story. Using words listed above paints the subjects in a wrong way, making the victim seem vulnerable and the attacker seem vicious.

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-Dont: Use photos that hide the face
--For example this is a photo of Richard when he's getting arrested. This photo makes the subject look guilty or angry.

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-Do: Use photos that have the subject smiling, this can make both subjects nicer, creating a unbiased feeling since both sides have photos that feel the same.

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-Do: Use photos that give off positive vibes.
--For example you can use this photo of Sasha which gives off a calm feeling.