spj 2021 Exec board feature: president sudiksha kochi

by maddie gierber

For SPJ president Sudiksha Kochi, the draw of journalism has always been its ability to illuminate stories that are often hidden from view. Since her days as copy editor of her high school paper, Kochi has worked to connect people with experiences and perspectives to which they may not otherwise be exposed.

“History is important because of the people in it,” she says. “We have a job to be able to tell the stories of these people.”

Kochi works at Voice of America, a multi-platform broadcasting company committed to spreading accurate and accessible information. There, she documents the complexities of daily life for underrepresented communities, like first-generation international college students, to give readers a clearer picture of their experiences. She also examines the stories behind politicians’ public persona, providing citizens with a more three-dimensional view of the officials representing them.

Reporting political decisions isn’t enough; Kochi wants the public to truly understand the character and motivation of those they entrust with governing. “We know what they do, but we don’t know who they are,” says Kochi. She is concerned voters don’t always realize the “true colors” of those they elect, which can make it even more difficult for undecided voters to make an educated choice.

“People just need to know who these politicians are on the inside because it affects a lot of what they do on the outside,” Kochi says. She believes giving citizens a closer look at local government will help them become more engaged and encourage them to think more critically about those they elect.

Part of engaging local communities better is providing accurate information. Kochi notes how the rising distrust of the media has created a gap between reputable reporting and readers willing to consume that reporting.

“People need to know what the reality is, but people don't trust us,” she explains. “We have good journalism, but people can't see it because they're so engrossed in this misinformation.” Poor media literacy, which can lead to statements seen online being taken out of context, has contributed to an online environment where facts are overshadowed by easily-shared opinions.

Combating misinformation is part of Kochi’s job as an intern at Politifact, an organization dedicated to online fact checking. When digital sources like Facebook or TikTok post false or misleading claims, journalists assign “Truth-O-Meter” ratings after verifying the accuracy of the statement. Because facts are the foundation of good journalism, Kochi stresses how vital it is for the public to recognize and consume accurate news. Still, the surge of misinformation in recent years means it’s harder for journalists to reach a skeptical audience.

“It all goes back to the problem of how the media is perceived in society,” Kochi says. “People need to really start trusting journalists because we do a really hard job.” She hopes the increased focus on fact checking and demonstrating journalists’ dedication to the truth will rebuild the public’s trust in the media.

It’s harder to tell important stories when it feels like the public isn’t listening, but Kochi is eager to make sure journalists maintain the ability to work freely. In addition to her work at Politifact, Kochi has started two branches of GMU’s SPJ club to encourage a healthy press—the Truth Squat fights online misinformation, and the Freedom of Press Advocacy Group writes public officials in support of a free press.

Kochi has encountered personal challenges in journalism as well. As sometimes the only woman of color in the newsroom, she has struggled to have her voice heard, saying “People sometimes don't take you seriously.” Misconceptions about her ability or level of experience made finding opportunities more difficult, but Kochi lists her persistence as one of her best journalistic qualities. She remained committed to sharing stories that matter and felt her confidence grow as she accumulated successes like completing media clips or publishing her first factcheck. 

As a journalist dedicated to telling the stories of underrepresented communities, she believes the industry can only benefit by increased diversity. Not only will it allow journalists to better represent a wide range of perspectives, but each step forward will encourage others to follow.

“We need to be able to break barriers in journalism,” Kochi says. “[If] I'm the only one representing all the Indian communities in the U.S., that's a problem, because I can't do it all.” But, she explains, there is value in serving as representation for those who may otherwise feel unwelcome in the industry—if they see someone like them on TV, they may feel that they, too, have a place in journalism.

“It's gonna be difficult, but at the same time you're bringing a unique perspective to journalism that no one has. That's very important.”