Every major global challenge has a gender dimension, including climate change, economic or health inequality, the rise of authoritarianism, mass migration or algorithmic bias. Critical and tenacious journalism is needed to expose all of this.
With stories about underreported issues in underreported parts of the world, told by underrepresented voices, As Equals aims to shine a light on taboo topics, use innovative presentations, and effect change.
With a dedicated team, As Equals will expand the reach of gender reporting and build on CNN’s already established reputation for independent, world-class, mobile-first and thought-provoking journalism, with production across all CNN platforms, including newsletters and audio, documentaries, and events.
How is As Equals funded?
The As Equals series was launched in 2018 with a one-year grant from the European Journalism Centre for Innovation in Development Reporting. The series was sustained after 2019 with a commitment from CNN.
In October 2020, CNN announced that the series would be expanding with a new three-year, $3.6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The money, which can only be used by CNN for As Equals, will go toward salaries and associated staff costs, reporting and producing stories in multiple formats, hiring freelance storytellers and hosting events.
Throughout the series, CNN will continue to provide As Equals with staff and logistical support.
Will the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have an influence on CNN journalism?
No. Equals journalism will be completely editorially independent. All content in the series will adhere to CNN’s high standards and will be fair, accurate and responsible.
As with all grant-funded journalism, we will report regularly to the funder, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to demonstrate that CNN is spending the money for its intended purpose.
How long does the financing last?
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is funding As Equals for four years, through December 31, 2024.
Why focus on gender inequality?
Equals aims to highlight and report on these issues in ways that deepen global understanding and have tangible impact.
Will As Equals include trans people in its coverage?
As Equals is fully committed to inclusion. Our stories will show you not only what gender inequality looks like, but also why it is not limited to one place or one person, and why it persists all over the world.
How can I contact As Equals?
You can send tips or questions to the following email address: asequals@cnn.com
Please note that we are a small team and receive a lot of correspondence, so your patience is appreciated.
How can I contribute to As Equals?
As Equals does not cover the news of the day. Rather, we try to set the news agenda through investigative work or to deepen understanding and knowledge of the causes of gender inequality and potential solutions through human interest reporting or data.
If you would like to send us tips, or share research information, study data, or the names and contacts of outstanding people whose stories you think we should tell, you can do so by emailing asequals@cnn.com
Each year, we select a few themes to give our journalists and audiences the opportunity to cover a topic or trend from different angles – and to enhance the potential for impact. Contact us to find out what series we’re currently working on.
Before you submit a story to us, we would like you to first ask yourself a few questions:
- Is my idea original? This could mean that it’s a topic, situation, or location that hasn’t been widely reported before, but it could also mean that you have access to new information or different sources; your reporting will present the story in a new way or help the public see the bigger picture.
- Am I the right person to tell this story? Do you have access that others don’t? Do you understand a complex issue and can talk about it in a clear and engaging way? Do you study or follow a topic closely and can see what others have missed?
- Am I ready to work with others? The best journalism is collaborative. Maybe you have a great idea, but you don’t have the right contacts or data skills, for example. If we commissioned you, would you be happy to work with a team to tell your story, if that were necessary?
- How sustainable is my idea? Even though we’re moving faster in writing columns, your opinion piece or story idea shouldn’t be irrelevant by the end of the day’s news cycle.
- Is my story suitable for CNN? At As Equals, we want to see the big picture. To uncover the systemic causes of gender inequality and tell those stories to a global audience. Will your story help us do that? Will your story be relevant outside of its local or national context?
Does As Equals accept video or photo pitches?
As Equals seeks to amplify underrepresented voices in front of and behind the camera. We are seeking character-driven documentary shorts and photo essays by and/or about women and non-binary people from around the world, and would love to hear from non-fiction filmmakers, video and photo journalists who want to tell universal stories that connect with audiences emotionally and hold a mirror up to society.
While strong preference is given to stories in pre-production or early production, you may also include links to material that has already been filmed.
These FAQs were last updated on June 11, 2024.
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