Similar to journalism, the history of science in the United States has been fraught with bias masquerading as objective fact. Facts treated as foundational to studies can be manipulated, exemplified by famous cases of medical cruelty to privately funding 'debunking' of the climate crisis.

Funded by the National Association of Science Writers, The Objective is soliciting pitches on how science journalism ignores the communities it should be helping, as well as stories on how science journalists from historically marginalized backgrounds were failed by editors and institutions. Pitches that take a solutions journalism approach are also welcome.

We are paying four writers a flat rate of $500 per piece, with the intention that each of these pieces should be published with The Objective on or before November 20th. We understand that this is a quick turn-around for some writers, and will work with an author if their pitch is selected on deadlines.

Essentially, if your pitch concerns science, objectivity, journalism, and injustice, we’d like to read it. We encourage unpublished journalists — including scientists, students, postdocs, and activists — to pitch. Please don’t let inexperience in this specific realm discourage you from reaching out!

WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE?

The Objective is a nonprofit newsroom holding journalism accountable for past and current systemic biases in news within reporting and newsroom practices. From 2020 to 2021, the organization was all-volunteer. With this grant from the National Association of Science Writers and others, we are beginning to pay writers for their work and will continue to do so as long as it’s financially sustainable. You can read more at objectivejournalism.org

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

We are looking for reporting and criticism focusing specifically on how science journalism can improve coverage of historically marginalized communities and support writers from those communities. Stories like:

- The lack of coverage over how rural communities are dealing with climate change (the 2020 derecho, community gardening, the Ogallala Aquifer, lack of support for family farms, the water rights of Tribal Nations, etc).

- How journalists often glorify space programs and see them as disconnected with civil rights movements — both modern and historical.

- How “Both-sides-ism” from editors over established scientific fact, like climate and gender science, push harmful narratives.

- How technology is often looked at as a black box that advances society, preventing analysis of structural inequities, discussions about what “progress” is and algorithmic bias.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY PITCH WAS ACCEPTED?

The deadline for pitches is September 10th at 11:59PM PST. The Objective's leadership team will evaluate pitches after the deadline, at which point we will contact you ASAP to let you know if we decide to move forward with your pitch.

If you have questions, please email contact@objectivejournalism.org (or include them directly in your pitch if they are not time sensitive).