Thread by @BeeBrookshire

Hi it's the very beginning of 2023, and if you're a #journalist who's never tracked the #Diversity of your sources before, now is a great time to start!

I track mine with a google form, that feeds directly into a spread sheet. Took 5 min to setup.

But but, you say, when do you look this stuff up about a person?

You don't, you ask them. In the interview. Some ask at the end, I ask at the beginning. I mean, I'm getting their name and job and title and affiliation right? Get the pronouns!

Then I say "hey, can I ask you some extra questions? I feel it's my duty to represent a variety of backgrounds." I tell them this is optional and the answers do not affect the interview and are private.

You NEED to ask this bit because they need to know they can opt out.

This is not just for good feels, it is also required when talking to people form the EU, for example.

If they say yes (99% say yes), I ask how they describe their gender, race, age, and how big is the town/city they live in.

(The one people opt out of most is age!)

I also ask hey, anything else you want to tell me? Some might talk religion, orientation, ability. Others might say hey I'm first gen college!

All good!

My, you say, but this feels AWKWARD.

It is only awkward if you make it awkward.

After all, we ask people if we can record the convo, right? (please tell me you ask? Unless you live in a one party consent state but even then tell me you ask?)

We ask people about their conflicts of interest, and where their money comes from!

Is that awkward? Of course not! It's just part of the job.

So is tracking your diversity, knowing who you talk to and why.

So get started! No time like the present! (and yup, I tracked sources the whole time I reported my book, nearly 300 of them. If I can, you can.)