Womxn on soapboxes: the experience and impact of an all-womxn public performance of live journalism

In the wake of historical under-representation and marginalization, the voices and experiences of women often fail to take centre stage in journalism. Ethical frameworks for journalism have advocated that it should be judged by its success in promoting change, such as making a difference for the under-represented. In response, this work takes a feminist action research approach by producing a live journalism event, ‘News on the Street’, to promote womxn (women and non-binary people) in journalism. The event showcased original, unpublished stories written and presented by a team of all-womxn journalists performing on soapboxes in an urban public space. Through inductive thematic analysis, surveys and interviews revealed how onlookers were ‘a-livened’ to the stories they were hearing and admired the ‘bravery’ of the womxn journalists. The data also revealed some hostility to the presence of a non-binary, trans journalist. The journalists reported feeling empowerment, solidarity, emerging professional identity and finding courage to overcome fear and anxiety. The event was regarded largely by the audience as ‘campaigning’ demonstrating that such a format can be effective as a radical, ethical approach to journalism.