Internet Access
A View from the Field: Netroots, NAHJ and More
A View from the Field is an ongoing feature that highlights the efforts of Free Press’ team of organizers and advocates.
Once a month, we provide updates from the field as staffers work alongside our amazing allies and activists to create a more just and equitable media system.
- Rose Lang-Maso moderated a panel discussion at Netroots called “From Storytelling to Tech Policy Reform: Activism for Social Change.” The conversation examined how activists and policy experts of color can work together to combat hate, disinformation and other dangerous online forces.
- Nora Benavidez took part in the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ International Expo and Convention in Miami. She spoke during the opening plenary in a discussion about disinformation targeting Latinx communities. CNN’s Jim Acosta moderated.
- Vanessa Maria Graber took part in the closing plenary at the NAHJ convention. The conversation explored how the organization’s Philly chapter — which Vanessa Maria is the president of — has formed powerful community collaborations and advocated for both journalists and communities of color.
- Diamond Hardiman and Collette Watson joined veteran journalist Richard Prince for a roundtable discussion considering whether the media have improved their coverage of crime since maligning the Central Park Five — now known as the Exonerated Five. One of the participants was the attorney for Korey Wise, one of the unjustly incarcerated teenagers. Watch the conversation here.
- Diamond also took part in the panel discussion “Rethinking Journalism Education from the Ground Up.” She shared her reparative-journalism research and offered insights into what journalism education could look like if it incorporated restorative-justice principles. Gather, which supports community-minded journalists, hosted the conversation.
- Joshua Stager participated in a Broadband Breakfast panel discussion about forthcoming FCC labels that will disclose the cost and basic terms of internet-service plans. “Consumers are all too familiar with broadband bills that bury junk fees and service terms in the fine print,” Josh noted earlier this year. “People deserve to know what they’re paying for, and this label will help.”
