ONLINE—The Fourth Branch: Media and Democracy

Grassroots journalism is on the rise. In recent years, reporters on social media have set new journalistic norms to reach sources and break stories. Simultaneously, renewed interest in local news during COVID-19 has bolstered a movement for non-profit news, exemplified by startups like The Oaklandside and The American Journalism Project. What is non-profit news? What do developments in the local news landscape mean for journalism’s civic mission? How can timeless philosophical questions about privacy and community; democracy and the public sphere, be brought to bear on this rapidly evolving landscape?

Thursday, April 8 4:00-5:00 pm PST

Panelists:

• Tasmeen Raja, Editor- in-Chief of The Oaklandside Reyna Olaguez, Executive Director of South Kern Sol
• Megan Garvey, Executive Editor of KPCC + LAist
• Sarah Stierch, researcher and journalist 

Moderator:

• Dr. Ray Briggs, Professor of Philosophy at Stanford University and co-host of the Philosophy Talk radio program

Through California On The Ballot, California Humanities invites the people of California and beyond to reflect and talk—with neighbors, historians, election experts, and more—about the past, present, and future of electoral engagement in California. To sign up for upcoming events, visit www.calhum.org. This event is funded by the “Why it Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation” initiative, administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and funded by Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. For more information, please write to Kirsten Vega at kvega@calhum.org.