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Anita Varma

@anitawrites.bsky.social
1.6K followers 1.4K following 70 posts

Solidarity Journalism Initiative lead, assistant professor at UT Austin School of Journalism and Media. Views are my own.

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Reposted by Anita Varma
Philip Leventhal @philipleventhal.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Thx to BookPeople for hosting an event this weekend for Anita Varma, author of SOLIDARITY IN JOURNALISM: HOW ETHICAL REPORTING FIGHTS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE. Couldn't make the event? You can use the code CUP20 and save 20% on the book! bit.ly/4pwUEwF @anitawrites.bsky.social @columbiaup.bsky.social
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The Objective @objectivejournos.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
"Solidarity for social justice is the very best of what journalism does and has always done." That's among what @anitawrites.bsky.social hopes readers of her new book Solidarity in Journalism will take away.
buff.ly
'All journalism advocates': Anita Varma on solidarity journalism
Anita Varma on her forthcoming book, Solidarity in Journalism, the limits of the advocacy vs. journalism conversation, and more.
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Philip Leventhal @philipleventhal.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Join Anita Varma, author of SOLIDARITY IN JOURNALISM: HOW ETHICAL REPORTING FIGHTS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE at Bookpeople in Austin on Saturday, July 18th at 2 pm for their Local Author Spotlight! bit.ly/3RcsvOE @bookpeople.com @anitawrites.bsky.social @columbiaup.bsky.social
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Philip Leventhal @philipleventhal.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
"[D]emonstrates that solidarity is in fact the ethical, practical, and longstanding journalistic commitment to social justice." -- Kathleen McElroy Now available: SOLIDARITY IN JOURNALISM, by Anita Varma. tinyurl.com/35us5huy @anitawrites.bsky.social @columbiaup.bsky.social
tinyurl.com
Solidarity in Journalism | Columbia University Press
Conventional journalistic norms discourage reporters from taking sides. They are supposed to remain neutral, impartial, and objective. Yet there is also a lo... | CUP
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Press On @pressonsouth.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
What do you mean you haven’t ordered Anita Varma’s @anitawrites.bsky.social debut book, “Solidarity in Journalism: How Ethical Reporting Fights for Social Justice” yet?! Order your copy of this must-read today at bit.ly/solidarityinjournalism (use code CUP20 for 20% off).
The cover of Anita Varma’s book “Solidarity in Journalism: How Ethical Reporting Fights for Social Justice.” The cover looks like an abstract painting with different hues of orange.A headshot of book author Anita Varma from the shoulders up, with trees in the background.
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Philip Leventhal @philipleventhal.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
"[A] groundbreaking text that will change how we think about and teach journalism." -- Lewis Raven Wallace Now available: SOLIDARITY IN JOURNALISM: HOW ETHICAL REPORTING FIGHTS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, by Anita Varma. tinyurl.com/35us5huy @anitawrites.bsky.social @columbiaup.bsky.social
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Philip Leventhal @philipleventhal.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Read an interview with Anita Varma about her new book, SOLIDARITY IN JOURNALISM: HOW ETHICAL REPORTING FIGHTS FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE in *The Objective.* bit.ly/4uk8fct @anitawrites.bsky.social @objectivejournos.bsky.social @columbiaup.bsky.social
bit.ly
'All journalism advocates': Anita Varma on solidarity journalism
Anita Varma on her forthcoming book, Solidarity in Journalism, the limits of the advocacy vs. journalism conversation, and more.
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
objectivejournalism.org/2026/03/qa-a...
objectivejournalism.org
'All journalism advocates': Anita Varma on solidarity journalism
Anita Varma on her forthcoming book, Solidarity in Journalism, the limits of the advocacy vs. journalism conversation, and more.
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Reposted by Anita Varma
Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
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 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.
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 09/10/2025
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 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.
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Reposted by Anita Varma
News Relay Network @newsrelaynetwork.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
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!!
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Center for Media Engagement - UT Austin @engagingnews.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
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
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
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
Disinformation War During Indo-Pak Conflict I News Media Exposed I Interview with Dr. Anita Varma
YouTube video by Science Talk
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 22/03/2025
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.”
newsfromthestates.com
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...
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Amy Westervelt @amywestervelt.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
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.
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Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 04/03/2025
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:
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
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
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 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?
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 26/01/2025
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 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?
211024
Reposted by Anita Varma
Bucks County Beacon @buckscountybeacon.com · 20/01/2025
"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
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Andrea Wenzel @andreawenzel.bsky.social · 17/01/2025
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...
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Bucks County Beacon @buckscountybeacon.com · 15/01/2025
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
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 10/01/2025
📣 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...
mediaengagement.org
Defining Social Justice
Social justice is much more than a passing fad or a political buzzword. It is a central principle for ethical action.
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Carrie Brown @brizzyc.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
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.
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Carrie Brown @brizzyc.bsky.social · 09/01/2025
"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!
niemanlab.org
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.
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
“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 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?
35023
Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
“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 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?
35023
Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
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/
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
🔥🔥 Check out The Austin Chronicle’s new piece on solidarity journalism, by Austin Sanders www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-11...
austinchronicle.com
As Trump Prepares to Take Office, UT Professor Says Journalists Should Take a New Approach
Solidarity journalism puts vulnerable people first
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
🔥🔥 Check out The Austin Chronicle’s new piece on solidarity journalism, by Austin Sanders www.austinchronicle.com/news/2024-11...
austinchronicle.com
As Trump Prepares to Take Office, UT Professor Says Journalists Should Take a New Approach
Solidarity journalism puts vulnerable people first
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
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...
mediaengagement.org
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...
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
ICYMI: Solidarity Reporting Beyond “The Latino Vote” and “The Arab Vote” recording now available on YouTube, with links to slides & resources in the description! youtu.be/OrgGtc_7FNA?...
youtu.be
Solidarity Reporting Beyond “The Latino Vote” and “The Arab Vote”
YouTube video by Center for Media Engagement
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Tomorrow!
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Join us this Wednesday at 5pm CT / 6pm ET on Zoom for Solidarity Reporting Beyond “The Latino Vote” and “The Arab Vote”! www.eventbrite.com/e/solidarity...
eventbrite.com
Solidarity Reporting Beyond “The Latino Vote” and “The Arab Vote”
As US journalism seeks to regain credibility and move forward, join us for a virtual workshop on how solidarity reporting can help.
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Join us Wednesday on Zoom! www.eventbrite.com/e/solidarity...
eventbrite.com
Solidarity Reporting Beyond “The Latino Vote” and “The Arab Vote”
As US journalism seeks to regain credibility and move forward, join us for a virtual workshop on how solidarity reporting can help.
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
www.eventbrite.com/e/solidarity...
eventbrite.com
Solidarity Reporting Beyond “The Latino Vote” and “The Arab Vote”
As US journalism seeks to regain credibility and move forward, join us for a virtual workshop on how solidarity reporting can help.
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
www.eventbrite.com/e/solidarity...
eventbrite.com
Solidarity Reporting Beyond “The Latino Vote” and “The Arab Vote”
As US journalism seeks to regain credibility and move forward, join us for a virtual workshop on how solidarity reporting can help.
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 09/11/2024
How can journalism serve a fracturing public while building credibility? Through solidarity practices that begin by focusing on issues placing people’s basic needs at stake: mediaengagement.org/solidarity-j...
mediaengagement.org
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
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Robert Hernandez @webjournalist.bsky.social · 26/10/2024
You know, I am starting to think that these billionaire rich guys aren’t just like us.
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 26/10/2024
Can we all be this mad when dominant news outlets refuse to take a stance on social injustice, too? Or is this outrage reserved for presidential endorsements? 🤐🗳️ mediaengagement.org/solidarity-j...
mediaengagement.org
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
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 11/10/2024
objectivejournalism.org/2024/10/marc...
objectivejournalism.org
The problem with the contingency of innocence in journalism
The contingency of innocence in news coverage is a narrative technique that directs outrage toward a system malfunction, not the system itself.
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Reposted by Anita Varma
Ethan Plaut @ethanplaut.bsky.social · 28/09/2024
“Reporting that this individual is ‘one of the good ones,’ news coverage routinely suggests that the systems governing society are in place to punish the unequivocally guilty — not the innocent. The basis for outrage, then, lies in a system malfunction, not the system itself…”
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 28/09/2024
anitavarma1470.medium.com/marcellus-wi...
anitavarma1470.medium.com
Marcellus Williams and the Problem with the Contingency of Innocence in Journalism
by Anita Varma, Solidarity Journalism Initiative lead
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 14/09/2024
“There’s no government official or study acknowledging the phenomenon” apnews.com/article/iran...
apnews.com
Women in Iran are going without hijabs as the 2nd anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death approaches
The country’s new reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian campaigned on a promise to halt the harassment of women by morality police
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 14/09/2024
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
nbcnews.com
'It just exploded': Springfield woman claims she never meant to spark false rumors about Haitians
The woman behind an early Facebook post that helped spark baseless rumors about Haitians eating pets told NBC News that she feels for the immigrant community.
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Aaron S. Veenstra @asveenstra.bsky.social · 12/08/2024
Very happy we could do this panel at #aejmc24 for my book with Tom Johnson. A full room and great discussion from contributors (l to r) @drkath.bsky.social, @anitawrites.bsky.social, Lindsey Meeks, @joshscacco.bsky.social, @prjohnson.bsky.social, and Andrew Mendelson.
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Melissa Gira Grant @melissagiragrant.com · 31/07/2024
Raquel Willis was supposed to be giving a book talk at NABJ right now. Her statement:
raquelwillis.com
Raquel Willis | Writer. Activist. Media Strategist.
Raquel Willis is a writer, activist, media strategist dedicated to elevating the dignity of Black trans lives.
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 21/07/2024
journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
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Anita Varma @anitawrites.bsky.social · 19/07/2024
Coming to Austin for Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) 2024? Join us for a panel on solidarity reporting! Wednesday, August 7, 2pm-3pm, featuring 3 fantastic journalists: Cecilia Lei, Tahera Rahman, and Mary Kang (moderator: me!)
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