The Objective

Graphic recording of The Objective’s Trans Media Convening panel, Narrative Change in Journalism. Top left section, below heading that says Narrative Change in Journalism: A swiss army knife that says “narrative change.” Many stories combine to form narratives that shape meaning and our realities. Multiple infrastructures work to shift narratives: Organizing, art, documentary. Journalism shapes reality by: telling us what’s happening, starting and expanding conversations (thought bubble that says “What even is gender?”), showing us what’s possible, presenting evidence in context, offering institutional guidance, and showing our power. Top right section: Journalism’s histories: A set of practices & traditions that upholds the status quo & ignores the margins. Omit: Stories about Black folks and everyone on the margins. A news station has a flag that says “myth of objectivity.” Another tradition shines a spotlight on the margins & refuses to look away! A la Ida B. Wells. A portrait of Ida B. Wells is shown. Bottom left section: Where has this brought us? 3 main approaches to coverage: 3D glasses with one pink lens and one blue lens. Cis lens is default and dominant: Nature documentary (behold the wild trans person), clinical (puzzle, not people), and scandalized (e.g. Jerry Springer, Ace Ventura, JK Rowling) & newsrooms (like CBS) are firing trans reporters. Below right section: What is our assignment? Pressure newsrooms, equip individual reporters to fight ‘em, humanize the story, multi-tactical, non-binary — work all the precious points & follow the data. Scoop the newsroom, tell a better story, work with & for each other, be our best resource. Build our own places. “Throw sand in the gears of genocide.” -Rasha Abdulhadi. Keep fighting!

Strategizing about a safer media ecosystem for trans people: The Objective’s first Trans Media Convening

Over 70 trans journalists and allies gathered for the convening. Panelists included TransLash CEO and founder Imara Jones and Trans Journalists Association board president Kae Petrin.

Latest in The Objective
A graphic showing the logo for the 2025 Nonprofit News Awards that says Winner: Breaking Barriers Award — The Objective.
The Objective wins its first INN Award!

The win was in the Breaking Barriers (Micro Division) category, for a story reported by Alexis Allison covering a New York City newspaper editor’s years-long bullying.

A split photo with The Objective's logo on one side and the Nonprofit News Awards logo on the other.
The Objective is a finalist for two INN Awards!

The nominations are both for a story reported by Alexis Allison, which covered a New York City newspaper editor’s years-long bullying.

A white letter O centered on an orange background.
Four and a half years later, The Objective is still here. What’s next?

Our year-end fundraiser recap and looking ahead to 2025 with The Objective.

Lewis Raven Wallace, a white trans journalist with a suit, faces left against a blue wall.
Lewis Raven Wallace joins The Objective’s advisory board

Wallace, an independent journalist and co-founder of southern movement collective Press On, is the author and host of the book and podcast “The View from Somewhere.” 

One hundred issues of The Objective’s newsletter

100 issues later, The Objective and our newsletter are still here. What have we learned?

A new chapter for The Objective  

Co-director James Salanga reflects on changes at the newsroom, which is now able to fund part-time salaries for its two co-directors, Salanga and Gabe Schneider.

Meet our new Democracy Correspondents!

The Objective is bringing on two Democracy Correspondents: Uyiosa Elegon and Jacob Gardenswartz. 

A white letter O centered on an orange background.
The Objective will hire a Democracy Correspondent
An image of the number 2 on The Objective's colorscheme. The two is white and the background is orange.
Two years of The Objective