"I Am Trying to Understand"
February 23, 2026
We encourage journalists to have a deeper purpose in their interviews than just getting information. While that can take many forms, helping people feel heard and understood is always a strong bet. Documentary filmmaker Deeyah Khan joined SJN’s Bridging News Fellows for a session about journalism rooted in listening, understanding and dignity. Her suggestions for interviewing sometimes frustrate her colleagues, but we think they’re pretty terrific.