Milli Hill

Writer
✒️ Author and coach for women in midlife and aspiring non-fiction authors.

[Janet Murray @jan_murray]

So @nickwallis and I just attended an online journalism workshop on reporting trans issues.

We’ve been talking about creating our own workshop on reporting sex and gender - perhaps with @JournalismSEEN - and wanted to understand the guidance journalists are receiving.

The journalist running this paid training had clearly prepared carefully and likely wasn't expecting their ideas to be challenged. Nevertheless, they tried to engage in good faith with our questions - and the organisers let them. That's good.

But much of what was taught was wrong - from explanations of the law to the fundamentals of journalism: accuracy, impartiality and balance.

I was ticked off for not being “compassionate” when I questioned whether “pregnant people” and “person with a vulva” were accurate descriptions for journalists to use.

Another participant was reminded to be “respectful” after questioning the assertion that sex was “hardly ever” relevant in reporting.

Of course we should treat people with respect. But journalism isn't about being “nice”. It’s about being accurate. And that means being willing to ask the awkward question no one else wants to ask.

Yet our questions received no support from other participants - some of whom were practising journalists like Nick and me. One was a lecturer at a UK university.

Here’s the draft outline Nick and I put together for our workshop, next to the one we just attended. I’ve removed identifying details - please don’t add them in the comments.

Not claiming it's perfect - the point is that our aim is not agreement or compliance. It’s to help journalists and content creators do their jobs properly - according to long-established journalistic ethics and principles.

If we want people to trust journalism again, they need to know we’ll ask difficult questions - whatever the subject, and however uncomfortable the answers. And that what they’re getting is journalism - not activism.

[Milli Hill @millihill]

@sleeepysandy @FAAntisemitism Sorry to hear this, love to you both xx

[Milli Hill @millihill]

Me today. #Glastonbury 🥳

[Victoria Smith @glosswitch]

I wasn't going to write about the Cornell case but then I kept seeing so much on women needing to "take responsibility" I felt too angry not to https://t.co/i0FFxJRO2V

[Milli Hill @millihill]

@DianaVilliers1 Not sure why you are coming out swinging for gang rapists...seems an odd decision

[Milli Hill @millihill]

https://t.co/IilkTBbcng

[Milli Hill @millihill]

New substack piece on #cornell

[Milli Hill @millihill]

I am two years post menopause and have never felt better / stronger / clearer. If you'd like to work with me as you navigate this time of epic change, there's more info here: https://t.co/qUqckDRlaE

[Milli Hill @millihill]

Sad to hear of Esther Ranzen's death from lung cancer. My dad also died of lung cancer age 88 and it was a very calm, peaceful and dignified end in a wonderful hospice. I hope she had a similar exit in spite of her fears.

[Milli Hill @millihill]

@naomicfisher So many parallels with trans here.

[Milli Hill @millihill]

@g_shullenberger You sound sexist and bitter just a heads up.

[Milli Hill @millihill]

@Heather_pw Ahhh! 😊😊😊

[Milli Hill @millihill]

Excited to share my new website…I’m bringing together my two decades of writing for and about women’s lives with my experience as a former therapist to offer coaching to women in mid-life. This will sit alongside my existing book and substack coaching packages. Link in next...

[Milli Hill @millihill]

@Heather_pw How do you know I did it myself?

[#WOMENSART @womensart1]

While listening to council meetings in Montreal, local mayor Sue Montgomery decided to knit in red when men spoke and in green when women spoke, when similar numbers of both attended.
Day 1 results.... #WomensArt

[Milli Hill @millihill]

https://t.co/FU8IlTs0Si

[Milli Hill @millihill]

If you’ve just woken up and want to start your Sunday by thinking about how the female body is policed and regulated by patriarchy in a myriad of ways then I have just the thing for you.

[Kate Clanchy @KateClanchy1]

I was thinking how tired and fed up I was when Samreen emailed me from her tiny attic in Afghanistan and put it all in context.

[Milli Hill @millihill]

https://t.co/KmZtdCMOca

[Milli Hill @millihill]

This week I'm writing about midlife finances from the perspective of someone who's got it all completely wrong, enjoy!