Tech Journalists You Should Follow – Who Aren’t White Men Named Matthew
A recent panel discussion hosted by the Institute of Economic Affairs and the TaxPayers’ Alliance in the UK shed light on a stark lack of diversity in the industry.
The panel, consisting of six white men, four of whom were named Matthew, ignited online conversations about the whiteness and maleness of journalism.
Tech journalist Dominic-Madori Davis remarked, “If it is easier to find four men named Matthew than at least one woman in your network, you gotta diversify asap.”
This sentiment was echoed by Theo Priestley, an author and technology futurist, who commented, “The future of journalism is clearly a white male named Matthew.”
To shed light on the importance of diverse voices in tech journalism, we’ve spotlighted some of the many tech journalists of color who are making significant contributions to the industry:
1. Dominic-Madori Davis
Dominic-Madori Davis, a senior reporter at TechCrunch, has been at the forefront of discussions surrounding the lack of diversity in venture capital investment, particularly in those led by Black entrepreneurs. In a series of insightful reports, Davis offers a unique perspective on Black founders’ challenges in securing VC support, especially in the wake of corporate promises regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion post-2020.
Before joining TechCrunch, Davis worked at Business Insider, where she created the “Black Woman’s Guide to Venture Capital Fundraising”. She holds a BA from the University of Southern California and gained experience reporting and editing for The Daily Trojan.
Check out some of her work:
- Without Black representation in climate tech, ‘the planet will burn’
- ‘Trust is a hard thing to earn’: SVB’s closure could disproportionately affect Black founders
- A Black woman’s guide to venture-capital fundraising: How to pitch investors, build a support network, and raise millions
Follow her on Twitter: @DominicMadori
2. Johana Bhuiyan
Johana Bhuiyan, a senior tech reporter and editor at The Guardian, specializes in covering the surveillance of marginalized groups. As a tech accountability reporter, she focuses on how some companies exacerbate inequality or further marginalize already disenfranchised communities. Bhuiyan’s career has taken her from Queens and Long Island to San Francisco, where she currently resides.
Before joining The Guardian, she worked at publications like the Los Angeles Times, Recode, BuzzFeed News, and Politico and gained her undergraduate degree from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania.
Check out some of her work:
- Immigrants surveilled: A 3-part investigation
- How the Google walkout transformed tech workers into activists
- Revealed: the software that studies your Facebook friends to predict who may commit a crime
Follow her on Twitter: @jmbooyah
3. Rani Molla
Rani Molla, a Senior Correspondent at Vox, has dedicated over a decade to covering business and technology. Her expertise lies in making complex information easily accessible through charts and graphics.
Molla’s recent focus has been on the future of work, from examining the challenges of returning to the office to exploring the rise of barista-led unions at Starbucks. With a background in data journalism, she has charted various trends, including our growing internet addiction and the energy production that powers our online lives.
Before Vox, Molla was a data columnist at Bloomberg Gadfly and a visual reporter at The Wall Street Journal. She has degrees from Oberlin College and the Columbia Journalism School.
Check out some of her work:
- Gen Z just wants a stable job
- The future of cities, according to the experts
- Scared tech workers are scrambling to reinvent themselves as AI experts
Follow her on Twitter: @ranimolla
4. Deepa Seetharaman
Deepa Seetharaman is a reporter covering artificial intelligence from The Wall Street Journal’s tech bureau in San Francisco. Her stories delve into the transformative impact of AI on businesses and society. Previously, she focused on the intersection of technology and politics and served as the Journal’s beat reporter covering Facebook (now Meta).
Seetharaman’s investigative journalism has explored topics such as Instagram’s effects on teen girls, AI systems’ struggles with harmful content, and antitrust issues within the tech industry. Her dedication to high-quality reporting has earned her prestigious awards, including the George Polk Award for Business Reporting.
Check out some of her work:
- How Worried Should We Be About AI’s Threat to Humanity? Even Tech Leaders Can’t Agree.
- Cleaning Up ChatGPT Takes Heavy Toll on Human Workers
- Outcry Against AI Companies Grows Over Who Controls Internet’s Content
Follow her on Twitter: @dseetharaman
5. Mona Chalabi
Mona Chalabi, the Data Editor at The Guardian, recently won a Pulitzer Prize for her “striking illustrations that combine statistical reporting with keen analysis to help readers understand the immense wealth and economic power of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.”
Born to Iraqi parents in London, Chalabi’s journey led her to study at the University of Edinburgh and then Paris Institute of Political Studies in France, where she earned a master’s degree in International Security.
She has been featured in renowned publications such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Guardian, where she currently serves as the data editor. Additionally, her video, audio, and production contributions have made appearances on platforms like Netflix, NPR, the BBC, and National Geographic.
Check out some of her work:
- 9 ways to imagine Jeff Bezos’ wealth
- What US job will shrink the most in the next decade?
- Atlanta shootings: why US hate crime data is so lacking
Follow her on Twitter: @MonaChalabi
Sara Keenan & Samara Linton
