Anita Varma
@anitawrites.bsky.social
Solidarity Journalism Initiative lead, assistant professor at UT Austin School of Journalism and Media. Views are my own.
Reposted by Anita Varma
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...
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.
mediaengagement.org
October 9, 2025 at 7:51 PM
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...
mediaengagement.org/dangerous-so...
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...
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.
mediaengagement.org
October 9, 2025 at 7:51 PM
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...
mediaengagement.org/dangerous-so...
Reposted by Anita Varma
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!!
Ever since we started down the path of founding a newsroom, we worried, “Are people going to think we’re nuts?”
It turns out that many journalists want what we want: to share power with the audience. newsrelaynetwork.org/were-buildin...
It turns out that many journalists want what we want: to share power with the audience. newsrelaynetwork.org/were-buildin...
We’re building something new. We’re not the only ones.
News Relay Network is proud to build on the foundation laid by journalism innovators who are empowering audiences to influence popular narratives, shape policy, and propel social movements.
newsrelaynetwork.org
August 22, 2025 at 4:16 PM
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!!
Reposted by Anita Varma
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
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
June 19, 2025 at 7:28 PM
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
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
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?...
youtu.be/XHaMMWgz5lI?...
Disinformation War During Indo-Pak Conflict I News Media Exposed I Interview with Dr. Anita Varma
YouTube video by Science Talk
youtu.be
May 23, 2025 at 6:46 PM
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?...
youtu.be/XHaMMWgz5lI?...
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.”
“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.”
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
March 22, 2025 at 7:48 PM
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.”
“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.”
Reposted by Anita Varma
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.
March 4, 2025 at 4:24 PM
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.
Reposted by Anita Varma
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:
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:
![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](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ejihld4sywvvqwe67cdkn4jq/bafkreictcxubqhd7foyjwbms62bj3cxmfyepqk2ms3l6ctabsa6fvpm5ju@jpeg)
March 4, 2025 at 12:04 AM
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:
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…
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…
February 17, 2025 at 12:38 PM
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…
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…
Reposted by Anita Varma
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...
theconversation.com/mainstream-m...
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?
theconversation.com
January 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
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...
theconversation.com/mainstream-m...
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...
theconversation.com/mainstream-m...
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?
theconversation.com
January 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
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...
theconversation.com/mainstream-m...
Reposted by Anita Varma
"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
January 20, 2025 at 3:18 PM
"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
Reposted by Anita Varma
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...
January 17, 2025 at 10:07 AM
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...
Reposted by Anita Varma
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
FULL EPISODE: bit.ly/40AF3RC
January 15, 2025 at 3:49 PM
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
FULL EPISODE: bit.ly/40AF3RC
📣 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...
⚖️ 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...
Defining Social Justice
Social justice is much more than a passing fad or a political buzzword. It is a central principle for ethical action.
mediaengagement.org
January 10, 2025 at 2:56 PM
📣 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...
⚖️ 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...
Reposted by Anita Varma
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.
January 9, 2025 at 7:38 PM
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.
Reposted by Anita Varma
"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!
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.
www.niemanlab.org
January 9, 2025 at 7:37 PM
"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!
Reposted by Anita Varma
“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...
theconversation.com/mainstream-m...
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?
theconversation.com
January 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
“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...
theconversation.com/mainstream-m...
Reposted by Anita Varma
“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...
theconversation.com/mainstream-m...
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?
theconversation.com
January 3, 2025 at 4:54 PM
“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...
theconversation.com/mainstream-m...
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?
theconversation.com
January 3, 2025 at 2:35 PM
“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...
theconversation.com/mainstream-m...
Trust in journalism discourse has always been a fascinating 🧶 to me. I hear the concerns coming from major media organizations about their waning legitimacy, but also have never been able to wrap my mind around the dominant messaging that mainstream journalism needs to “restore” public trust, (1/
December 16, 2024 at 5:11 PM
Trust in journalism discourse has always been a fascinating 🧶 to me. I hear the concerns coming from major media organizations about their waning legitimacy, but also have never been able to wrap my mind around the dominant messaging that mainstream journalism needs to “restore” public trust, (1/
Reposted by Anita Varma
🔥🔥 Check out The Austin Chronicle’s new piece on solidarity journalism, by Austin Sanders
www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-11...
www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-11...
As Trump Prepares to Take Office, UT Professor Says Journalists Should Take a New Approach
Solidarity journalism puts vulnerable people first
www.austinchronicle.com
November 27, 2024 at 4:59 PM
🔥🔥 Check out The Austin Chronicle’s new piece on solidarity journalism, by Austin Sanders
www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-11...
www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-11...
🔥🔥 Check out The Austin Chronicle’s new piece on solidarity journalism, by Austin Sanders
www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-11...
www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-11...
As Trump Prepares to Take Office, UT Professor Says Journalists Should Take a New Approach
Solidarity journalism puts vulnerable people first
www.austinchronicle.com
November 27, 2024 at 4:59 PM
🔥🔥 Check out The Austin Chronicle’s new piece on solidarity journalism, by Austin Sanders
www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-11...
www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-11...
Blog post with a recap of our still-timely discussion of issues with 2024 election coverage & dominant media discourse in the aftermath: mediaengagement.org/blogs/solida...
Solidarity Reporting Beyond “The Latino Vote” and “The Arab Vote” - Center for Media Engagement
Prompted by media discourse and criticism in the aftermath of the 2024 U.S. election, the Center for Media Engagmenent held a workshop focused on encouraging journalists to move beyond reductive, mono...
mediaengagement.org
November 26, 2024 at 1:53 PM
Blog post with a recap of our still-timely discussion of issues with 2024 election coverage & dominant media discourse in the aftermath: mediaengagement.org/blogs/solida...