Aura Freedom welcomed journalists, GBV experts, advocates, academics, students, and community members to Headlines & Harm: Reframing Media Coverage of Gender-Based Violence, an evening dedicated to learning, reflection, and reimagining media coverage of gender-based violence.
The event created a unique opportunity for dialogue between media professionals and gender-based violence experts, bringing together diverse perspectives to examine how gender-based violence is reported, where coverage can cause harm, and how transformative reporting can actually lead to violence prevention.
The evening featured a panel bringing together leading voices from journalism, academia, and advocacy, offering critical insight into how media shapes public understanding of gender-based violence. Drawing from decades of experience, the discussion emphasized the importance of accurate and responsible reporting.
The panel featured:
- Elizabeth Renzetti, best-selling author, leading voice on gender equality in Canadian media and a Landsberg Award–winning journalist
- Samira Mohyeddin, award-winning journalist, documentary filmmaker, and founder of On The Line Media
- Ann Rauhala, award-winning journalist, author, former Globe and Mail editor and TMU journalism professor with decades of newsroom experience
And was moderated by Aura Freedom’s Founder and Executive Director, Marissa Kokkoros, the creator of the GBV In The Media project and co-author of Aura Freedom’s Guidelines on GBV In The Media. Together, the panel explored the real world impacts of media narratives, the consequences of harmful reporting practices, real experiences of those media journalists who are already transformatively reporting on gender-based violence, and the opportunities for journalists to contribute to greater public understanding of gender-based violence through transformative practices.
Headlines & Harm reflects Aura Freedom’s ongoing commitment to advancing more informed, ethical, and survivor-centred media coverage through our GBV In The Media project. By bringing together journalists, GBV experts, advocates, and community members, we continue working toward media narratives that promote accountability, challenge harmful stereotypes, and contribute to the prevention of gender-based violence.
We extend our sincere thanks to our panelists, attendees, and partners for contributing to an evening of thoughtful dialogue and collective learning.
