A View from the Field: Fighting for a Free and Fair Press
Free Press Co-CEO Jessica J. González speaking at a conference at Cal State Long Beach
A View from the Field is an ongoing feature that highlights the efforts of Free Press’ team of organizers and advocates.
We provide regular updates from the field as staffers work alongside our amazing allies and activists to create a just and equitable media system.
Jessica J. González took part in the California Latino Legislative Caucus Policy Summit, where she spoke during the panel discussion “Effective Communication in the New Information Age.” The conversation examined the shift away from traditional media, the lack of Latino representation in the media, and the roles of ethnic and community newsrooms.
Jessica also participated in the panel discussion “Pressure on the Press: Free Speech, Press Access and Owner Interference” at Cal State Long Beach. In her remarks, Jessica explored the connection between media consolidation, media capitulation and independent journalism.
Jessica and other members of the Big Tech Oversight Board held an emergency session examining the first 100 days of the Trump administration — and the tech-bro takeover of the U.S. government.
Joseph Torres and Nora Benavidez each took part in workshops that were part of the “Media Reparations in Our Digital Era” series at UMass Amherst. Featuring leading historians, policy advocates and scholars, the workshops aimed to inspire reflection and advance ideas on how to respond to communities’ information needs. Joe took part in the “Histories and Legacies” discussion, where he noted that the murder of George Floyd “pressured politicians and private institutions to acknowledge and redress this issue of systemic harm.” In a workshop on interventions, Nora discussed the Trump administration’s authoritarian actions. “We are now at … the beginning stages of a nuclear threat to our speech,” she said.
Nora moderated a panel discussion at the Cambridge Disinformation Summit in England on legislative attempts to chill researcher inquiry and free speech.
Nora also took part in a virtual event with the Atlanta Press Club and the Georgia First Amendment Foundation that explored major state bills impacting the First Amendment and government transparency. The conversation placed this legislation within the broader context of national anti-speech efforts designed to shut down the press and dissent.
Vanessa Maria Graber participated in a roundtable discussion at PhillyCAM about local news and civic journalism. Participants discussed the challenges and opportunities of creating civic media, engaging underrepresented communities and competing with legacy media. Vanessa Maria shared information about Free Press Action’s work organizing for local-news policy across the United States and discussed how the organization supported the creation of the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium.
Vanessa Maria also moderated “How Newsrooms in New Jersey Are Meeting the Civic Information Needs of Black and Latinx Communities” at the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium’s “For the Love of Local News” Media Project Summit. Panelists discussed the strategies they use to serve their communities’ unique information needs.
Jenna Ruddock gave a presentation about state-level legislation on AI and data centers at an AI Multistate Group meeting.
Matt Wood spoke out against FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion during a panel discussion with Broadband Breakfast. Earlier this year, Carr said he would block any mergers from companies that promote DEI. Watch the conversation.
Rafael Muñoz-Echavarria organized “Pilsen Community Conversation: News for the People,” a gathering for residents of Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. Community members and representatives of local groups shared their visions for how to strengthen journalism in Pilsen. People expressed an interest in documenting their neighborhood’s history and conveyed how much they care about housing and immigration.