Anita Varma

Dangerous Solidarity - Center for Media Engagement An internationally-engaged research project on why solidarity is often dangerous for people practicing it and how to address these dangers.

Today marks the launch of the Dangerous Solidarity project, which provides practical resources for journalists and media practitioners around the world who face threats and attacks on their safety for truthful reporting on marginalized communities.

mediaengagement.org/dangerous-so...

Dangerous Solidarity - Center for Media Engagement An internationally-engaged research project on why solidarity is often dangerous for people practicing it and how to address these dangers.

Today marks the launch of the Dangerous Solidarity project, which provides practical resources for journalists and media practitioners around the world who face threats and attacks on their safety for truthful reporting on marginalized communities.

mediaengagement.org/dangerous-so...

Thanks @losowsky.com ! I’m not familiar with Sam Ford or Fusion, how do I find their work?

As we build this unconventional newsroom, we're inspired by the many people and organizations that have laid the foundation for our work: @anitawrites.bsky.social, @citybureau.bsky.social, @documenters.org, @eltimpano.bsky.social, @zantimes.bsky.social, #NewsFutures — to name a few!!

Big news!🎉 
Dr. Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social has received the ICA @icajsd.bsky.social Journalism Studies Division Public Engagement Award for her work on solidarity journalism.

We’re so proud to have her as part of the CME @texasmoody.bsky.social team!👏

#SolidarityJournalism #ICA25

YouTube video by Science Talk Disinformation War During Indo-Pak Conflict I News Media Exposed I Interview with Dr. Anita Varma

Grateful to have the chance to join the Science Talk podcast with @ittefaq.bsky.social to discuss news coverage of the India-Pakistan tensions, solidarity in times of war, and media ethics when lives are on the line. Check out our conversation here:

youtu.be/XHaMMWgz5lI?...

Venezuelans deported to brutal El Salvador prison weren’t gang members, lawyers say WASHINGTON — In new court briefings Thursday, attorneys for several Venezuelan immigrants say their clients either had no criminal record or had cases before an immigration judge when they were deport...

www.newsfromthestates.com/article/vene...

“E.V. fled Venezuela after being tortured by officials for participating in a protest…E.V. also has a tattoo of a crown...However, this crown is not related to Tren de Aragua but rather, a tribute to his grandmother whose date of death appears at the base.”

Seems like has been very little coverage of protests happening in the U.S.--not necessarily an intentional media blackout (although possibly), but the result of a longstanding stance in legacy media that protests aren't worth covering, activists aren't credible sources (but somehow CEOs are), etc.

After President Trump's inauguration last month, he has steadily signed a slate of executive orders to keep these education promises: combatting critical race theory, DEl, gender ideology extremism, and discrimination in admissions. President Trump has also been focused on eliminating wasteful bureaucracy and harmful programs in the federal government. To that end, today he signed [Executive Order XYZ, entitled "Eliminating the Department of Education,] which has given us a clear and final mission. We are to identify which of the Department's functions, programs, and offices are not mandated by statute, and eliminate them. This reorganization will impact staff, budgets, reporting, and more —and in coming months, we will determine how it can be accomplished with minimal delay and disruption. The President further tasked us with creating a plan to reallocate and reassign functions of the Department of Education that would be more effectively managed by other agencies. This plan will offer Congress a road map toward fulfilling the expectations of the President and the American people. The new vision—which I hope each of you will embrace going forward—can be expressed as four main convictions: Parents are the primary decision makers in their children's education. Students deserve to be protected from physical violence, racial discrimination, medical tyranny, and gender extremism ideology on campus. Postsecondary education should be a path to a well-paying career aligned with workforce needs. Taxpayer-funded education should refocus on meaningful learning: proficiency in math, reading, and core subjects, and patriotism in American history and civics. As we move to reduce the Department's middleman role in education, these four convictions must guide us toward conscientious and pragmatic action. The elimination of bureaucracy should free us, not limit us, in our pursuit of these goals Removing red tape and bureaucratic barriers will empower parents to make th

SCOOP: Now that Linda McMahon is confirmed/sworn in as secretary, Trump will be imminently issuing an executive order eliminating the Department of Education.

I’ve obtained a draft of an email that McMahon will be sending to staff re: the EO and the department’s “final mission”.

Here is a portion:

1) Trans & nonbinary people
2) Immigrants & mixed status families
3) Your individual tax return

All 3 are vulnerable right now, and all 3 are *connected.* #3 isn’t in isolation.

Endgame is imposing & enforcing state control over everyone - in all aspects of existing. There’s a name for that…

Thanks for posting this, Josh. I wonder: is this against the ethos or consistent with it, given their reasons for establishing the office in the first place? I grew up with PBS and am in no way rejecting what they contribute, but the fact that they backpedal so easily seems revealing

Solidarity Reporting on Marginalization: A Grounded Alternative to Monitorial Reporting’s Emphasis on Officials A dominant monitorial reporting method means that journalism shines a spotlight on officials’ activities, plans, and statements. While this reporting method has brought official wrongdoing to light...

www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

“They Always Get Our Story Wrong”: Addressing Social Justice Activists’ News Distrust Through Solidarity Reporting | Article | Media and Communication Anita Varma, Brad Limov, Ayleen Cabas-Mijares

www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcomm...

Solidarity Journalism - Center for Media Engagement The Solidarity Journalism Initiative is a research-based effort that helps journalists, journalism educators, and journalism students improve coverage of

Thanks Andrew! More resources (free + open-access research) if interested:

mediaengagement.org/solidarity-j...

Mainstream media faces a credibility crisis – my journalism research shows how the news can still serve the public Legacy newsrooms have lost their audiences. Could a radical transformation in how they practice journalism make the industry relevant again?

January unpopular take: There’s too much about the White House and not enough about people struggling to survive. There’s too much about potential & hypothetical impact and not enough about real & concrete impact. There’s too much and not enough. Let’s do better:

theconversation.com/mainstream-m...

Solidarity Journalism - Center for Media Engagement The Solidarity Journalism Initiative is a research-based effort that helps journalists, journalism educators, and journalism students improve coverage of

mediaengagement.org/solidarity-j...

Mainstream media faces a credibility crisis – my journalism research shows how the news can still serve the public Legacy newsrooms have lost their audiences. Could a radical transformation in how they practice journalism make the industry relevant again?

January unpopular take: There’s too much about the White House and not enough about people struggling to survive. There’s too much about potential & hypothetical impact and not enough about real & concrete impact. There’s too much and not enough. Let’s do better:

theconversation.com/mainstream-m...

Advisor! Commonly

"Underrepresentation is a political outcome of attempting to preserve a set of power dynamics that are not equitable or aligned with constitutional ideals of basic dignity for everyone," says @anitawrites.bsky.social. LISTEN: How Solidarity Journalism Can Help Strengthen Democracy bit.ly/40AF3RC

As the struggle to make journalism more equitable in the US faces more threats & backsliding, grateful to the brilliant @anitawrites.bsky.social for taking time to share this @ijoc-usc.bsky.social review of my @columbiaup.bsky.social book ijoc.org/index.php/ij...

In this week's episode of The Signal Editor @cmychalejko.bsky.social speaks with @engagingnews.bsky.social's @anitawrites.bsky.social about Solidarity Journalism and how it can help restore trust in mainstream media and strengthen democracy.
FULL EPISODE: bit.ly/40AF3RC

bsky.app/profile/anit...

Defining Social Justice Social justice is much more than a passing fad or a political buzzword. It is a central principle for ethical action.

📣 New & updated Solidarity Journalism resources are now live!

⚖️ Defining social justice mediaengagement.org/research/def...

🪧 Nonpartisan solidarity for social justice mediaengagement.org/research/non...

#️⃣👍💬 Superficial solidarity vs substantive solidarity mediaengagement.org/research/sup...

I've long been a fan, but I increasingly think solidarity journalism is the best way for those of us who want to do better and build trust to frame our efforts. Engagement journalism is similar, but I think solidarity is clearer and bolder.

Solidarity journalism could help news organizations build credibility When reporting in solidarity, journalists use newsworthiness criteria, sourcing tactics, and framing styles that are distinct from those typically used by mainstream media.

"When reporting in solidarity, journalists use newsworthiness criteria, sourcing tactics, and framing styles that are distinct from those typically used by mainstream media." www.niemanlab.org/2025/01/soli... by @anitawrites.bsky.social Going into the syllabus!

🙏🏽✊🏽🙌🏽

Mainstream media faces a credibility crisis – my journalism research shows how the news can still serve the public Legacy newsrooms have lost their audiences. Could a radical transformation in how they practice journalism make the industry relevant again?

“Through solidarity practices, mainstream media has a chance to achieve what it has always claimed to contribute to society: truthful reporting based on what is happening on the ground, to real people, in real time – and with real impact.”

theconversation.com/mainstream-m...

check out @anitawrites.bsky.social new article in @us.theconversation.com on #solidarityJournalism

Mainstream media faces a credibility crisis – my journalism research shows how the news can still serve the public Legacy newsrooms have lost their audiences. Could a radical transformation in how they practice journalism make the industry relevant again?

“Through solidarity practices, mainstream media has a chance to achieve what it has always claimed to contribute to society: truthful reporting based on what is happening on the ground, to real people, in real time – and with real impact.”

theconversation.com/mainstream-m...