In October last year, The New York Times published the first story alleging decades of sexual misconduct from Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Weinstein.
As more allegations arise – against Weinstein and others, inside and outside Hollywood – The Times continues to play a crucial role in the evolving #MeToo movement. But what were the barriers, in the media and in the broader culture, that enabled these abuses of power to go unchecked for so long?
The Times has launched a new gender initiative, headed by Francesca Donner, in an effort to address these barriers. The initiative is dedicated to broad and innovative global coverage of gender-related issues – including sexuality, identity, workplace rights and gender equity.
How can new media tools and techniques enable better reporting on abuses of power? What standards from traditional reporting do we need to hold onto in this extraordinary moment? How can Australian journalists translate these lessons to the local context? In conversation with Sophie Black, Francesca Donner and Matilda Dixon-Smith will discuss failure, achievement and ambition in reporting gender today.
Francesca Donner is director of the newly-launched Gender Initiative at The New York Times. In its first few months, the Gender Initiative has focused on the sexual harassment scandals breaking across the world, launching The #MeToo Moment newsletter in response to the recent waves of news. Francesca was previously the director of Times Insider, and earlier in her career was a deputy editor at The Wall Street Journal.
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