Tauhid is a project manager for Free Press’ News Voices project, focusing on the program’s Philadelphia initiative to reimagine how the city’s local newsrooms approach their coverage of crime, violence and the criminal justice and carceral systems. An eight-year veteran of the media industry, he most recently worked as a social-media editor at The Washington Post before joining The Philadelphia Inquirer as an engagement editor, where he analyzed reader behavior on search, social and digital platforms. Tauhid is also an executive board member and parliamentarian of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, the first and oldest association of Black journalists in the country and the founding chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a major in communications and minor in history. When Tauhid isn’t focusing on reframing how the media cover Black and Brown issues, he’s playing video games, playing guitar or educating others on cannabis and the harmful impact of the war on drugs.
Expert Analysis
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The paper has harmed both journalists of color and communities of color — and shows no interest in changing.
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A “Buildings Matter, Too” headline sparked a media uprising in Philadelphia. Here’s how Free Press and allies have demanded change in the ensuing three years.
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Free Press has developed a database to help journalists keep communities informed and safe during the volatile weeks ahead.
News
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The newspaper has failed to address numerous diversity, equity and inclusion issues and improve coverage of the city’s BIPOC communities.
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PABJ, Free Press and the Philadelphia chapters of AAJA and NAHJ call for meetings with Inquirer leadership to discuss the paper's poor track record on diversity.
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Free Press’ Tauhid Chappell talks to “On the Media” about the harmful impacts of traditional crime reporting.
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There are huge problems with the way traditional media approach crime reporting.
Stories
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This month our Media 2070 project brought together media-makers, journalists and activists for events exploring Black narrative power. Here are some highlights.
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A recent Free Press webinar gave journalists crucial strategies on how to cover civil unrest, white supremacy and the communities that racism most impacts.
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Community members and journalists recently discussed the need to challenge reporting that centers police narratives and ignores or misrepresents residents’ voices.
