Can you give an example of a time when media did a poor job of telling your story? How can media do better?

Answer: A few years ago, I was part of a group of people—many of them drug users and sex trade workers—who had turned out to protest being displaced by an at-market housing development in the Downtown Eastside.

There was a large number of media people there to do a story. They interviewed me and then they talked to the politicians (non-peer-based people), but when the story appeared on the news, my comments weren’t shown.

I thought I spoke very well and gave intelligent answers to the reporters’ questions. I was also representative of the people who were being impacted by the housing development and was therefore, I thought, relevant to the story. At the time, I felt good that my voice was being sought.

But it seemed like the media had already decided what story they wanted to tell and then filled in the blanks with the quotes they wanted to use and the people they wanted to hear from.

I felt insulted—not only for myself, but also everybody else that the story affected. I even got dressed up and did my hair and makeup, as I thought I might be on TV. When I wasn’t, I felt ignored and like my opinion didn’t matter.

In order to do better, media should not decide what the story is before they even interview a person. And reporters should always seek to show all sides of the story.

Also, don’t ask someone else to tell my story. For example, if you want to know how something is going to affect marginalized people, ask marginalized people! Don’t just go to people who aren’t living that life and ask them what they think.

Louise Boilevin (above) is a member of the Speakers Bureau team. Paula Carlson photo.