Welcome

My name is Jana Simović, I am a bilingual Serbian-American journalist and documenter currently based in Belgrade, Serbia that works with various forms of multimedia and data to tell stories.

In my reporting work, I have written about and documented the importance of community-centered work and initiatives surrounding topics such as climate change, environmental issues, food systems, urban trends, cultural identities, music scenes, art and much more through a storytelling narrative.

As a journalist, I aim to purposefully use multimedia such as photography and data visuals to help audiences understand and connect to a wide variety of topics. As a primarily self-taught photographer, I use the medium to capture stories through as many formats as possible; as a way to pursue transparency, accuracy and beauty all while trying to reach a larger audience.

When I am not working, I spend time cooking my grandmother’s recipes, biking while listening to recycled music, collecting print media and listening to strangers’ stories.

You can find my resume here

To explore my work, please navigate to the

corresponding tabs.

I hold a Masters of Arts degree in Data Journalism as well as a Bachelors of Arts degree in Journalism and Documentary Studies, both from DePaul University in Chicago.

Currently I work as a freelance reporter and photographer, while occasionally remotely contributing to City Bureau’s Documenters program. I am the former Managing Editor of 14 East Magazine where I helped lead an organized and collaborative newsroom that covered a wide variety of beats and subjects.

In the past I have also worked as an Investigative Reporting Intern at the solutions-based newsroom, Illinois Answers Project (the Better Government Association) as well as the former Chief Website News Director at Radio DePaul.

Journalist Statement:

There is an undeniable power in reading, hearing and seeing someone's personal accounts when telling a story. Whether it’s a mother explaining why she chooses to cook a particular dish on specific holidays, a senior citizen expressing his gratitude for having a food pantry to visit weekly or a college student placing their education on the frontline to protest for a cause they believe in; these are the kinds of anecdotes and experiences that have the power to elicit emotions which are far more powerful than a, let's say, institution's bureaucratic statement. Additionally, when paired with elements like photography and audio, their potential to inform, highlight solutions and bring positive change becomes unparalleled.

I have a fascination with nostalgia, simply in terms of asking questions that are framed by historical narratives as well as possible future solutions and narratives that illustrate potential room for improvement and change. This has inevitably made my reporting gravitate to community-oriented and human-centered journalism that analyzes the roles of local and underground communities, food systems and their role within a variety of cultures as well as the politics that are found within art and everyday life.

I believe that good journalism starts with a reporter's transparency which consists of a genuine approach starting from acknowledging my background that may inevitably contribute to natural biases — whether it is the languages I speak, experiences I’ve had, or interests I hold. I believe that acknowledging my reporting role from the perspective of being a member of the public contributes to my ability to cover a wide variety of topics, issues and narratives; something that I continue to build upon every day.

- Jana Simović

To contact for freelance work and anything else, please visit the Contact tab.

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Jana Simović

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