Passive voice makes journalism feel distant and confusing. You have probably written it without noticing.
What Passive Voice Actually Looks Like
The report was filed by the committee versus The committee filed the report. See the difference? Passive voice hides who did what, and journalism needs clarity about responsibility.
When It Shows Up Most
Passive constructions appear when you are unsure about details or trying to sound formal. Mistakes were made sounds official but tells readers nothing useful. Who made mistakes? What mistakes? Active voice forces you to answer these questions.
The Quick Fix
Find any sentence with was, were, or been paired with a past tense verb. Ask yourself who performed the action. Rewrite putting that person or organization first. The decision was made by council becomes Council made the decision.
Exceptions That Work
Sometimes you actually want passive voice. When the action matters more than the actor or when you genuinely do not know who did something, passive voice works. Three homes were damaged in the fire works because the homes are the story, not the fire itself.
Practice Spotting It
Read your draft aloud. Passive sentences feel awkward when spoken. Your ear catches what your eyes miss.