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Ghazala Irshad

Style and Standards Editor

she/her

I lead copy editing, develop editorial standards, and train staff on best practices for reporting. I want to ensure our journalism is accurate, ethically reported and framed, and illuminating for anyone seeking to understand the U.S. criminal justice system.

My Background

My career spans international reporting, teaching and community-centered storytelling. After earning my bachelor’s in journalism, I moved to Thailand and taught English to refugees and orphans. I then pursued my master's degree in Egypt, while reporting on protests and abuses of power during the Arab Spring. I moved to Dubai to lead social media strategy and produce Peeta Planet, an international documentary-style travel show highlighting social issues and the people trying to solve them. Later, I was a fellow at CUNY's Tow-Knight Center journalism startup incubator, where I created a travel media platform centering marginalized people. I've also been an editor at various outlets, covering issues such as race, gender, and gun legislation.

I serve on the board of Borderless Magazine, which covers Chicago’s immigrant and refugee communities, and I'm a fellow in Poynter and AAJA’s executive leadership programs.

Contact Me About...

I want to hear from anyone invested in editorial integrity and inclusive storytelling. If you have questions about our style and standards or ethical editing practices, please reach out.