News21

28/09/2024

Across the U.S., people are fighting for access to a fair vote, but the South is the summit. Battling restrictive legislation and redistricting, Alabama advocates like Alabama NAACP are mobilizing. See the story and video piece:

Since the 2020 census data was released, racially discriminatory redistricting processes and laws have spread across the nation’s courthouses. In the South, Black voters are faced with adversity and a cause: securing the equal vote.

27/09/2024

Groups like Western Native Voice and the Native American Rights Fund are continuing to fight for equal access to voting for Indigenous people, 100 years after the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. Learn more about the barriers in the way:

The Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 recognized Native Americans as U.S. citizens, yet for decades after, states blocked Indigenous people from voting. Today, experts warn that some states are once again restricting Native Americans’ access to voting.

24/09/2024

The number of people in the U.S. who speak a language other than English at home is growing. While a federal mandate offers some protections to help them vote in their primary languages, local groups in states like Nevada are stepping up to fill in the gaps.

As demographics shift, advocates from Las Vegas to Alaska are fighting to make voting accessible for citizens who speak different languages. While often met with challenges, they’re working to ensure all Americans can participate in democracy and feel like they belong.

20/09/2024

With studies showing a decline in civics education and knowledge across the U.S., programs from Arizona to New York are working to engage the next generation in democracy. See how:

Civic knowledge is declining, but Generation Z hopes to make a difference in democracy. Camp O’Connor USA in Phoenix and YVote’s Democracy Camp in New York reach students, and another camp in Indiana trains educators to strengthen young people’s civics education and engagement.

19/09/2024

For years now, ACLU and others have urged to reconsider rulings that limit what rights citizens of U.S. territories have. The United States Department of Justice has criticized the “racist rhetoric and reasoning” of these cases, yet they remain on the books.

Nearly 4 million people live in the five inhabited U.S. territories, but their ability to participate in American democracy is limited. When one American Samoan fought for more, he caused rifts across the islands.

18/09/2024

Some 4 million people live in the inhabited U.S. territories, but their ability to participate in American democracy is limited. Learn what happened when one American Samoan fought for more:

Nearly 4 million people live in the five inhabited U.S. territories, but their ability to participate in American democracy is limited. When one American Samoan fought for more, he caused rifts across the islands.

17/09/2024

: Sunday was international Democracy Day, and the United Nations made artificial intelligence this year’s theme. Globally, experts are worried about the impact of AI on elections. What’s happening in the U.S.? Read on to find out:

This year’s election marks the first amid the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, and that has regulators, lawmakers and voter advocates examining how best to regulate the technology to combat its misuse.

16/09/2024

Wanna test YOUR ability to tell if something is AI-generated or not? Try our Spot the Fake quiz, and learn more about how to distinguish a fake from the real thing: https://tinyurl.com/2kpjny9u Some hints: Ask questions like:
- Where is this information coming from? Is the original source reputable?
- What kind of claims are being made? Are they reasonable or out of the ordinary?
- Does the information use a neutral tone and language to get the point across, or is it inflammatory and trying to evoke an emotional reaction?
- Is the organization or the person who shared the information selling something?
- What motive could be behind sharing the information?
- Check to see if several news outlets are reporting on the same thing to verify facts and glean additional information.

16/09/2024

This year’s election marks the first amid the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. States like New Hampshire, New Mexico & Arizona have enacted legislation to combat deepfakes, but the feds have been slow to act. By Kyle Chouinard and Nate Engle:

This year’s election marks the first amid the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, and that has regulators, lawmakers and voter advocates examining how best to regulate the technology to combat its misuse.

15/09/2024

News21 journalists have spent months reporting on the state of American democracy, from how to regulate AI during elections to the impact of threats against election workers. We're proud on this to partner with the Center for Cooperative Media to distribute this content. See & share the work: https://fractured.news21.com

13/09/2024

Sunday is , a moment, the U.N. secretary-general says, to reinforce the rule of law. The Capitol insurrection will forever be remembered as one of the darkest days in American democracy. Almost four years later, News21's Hudson French and Donovan Johnson followed some who were there. Additional writing from Lillie Boudreaux and Ismael Lele:

The insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, will forever be remembered as one of the darkest days in American history. Four people who were there gave News21 access to their daily lives to share the enduring impact of that day. “You don't want to tell people you’re a Jan. 6er,” one s...

13/09/2024

Getting someone to open up about election intimidation and the death threats they received as a result of their commitment to ensure fair and just elections is no easy task. However, that was what School of Journalism and Media (J&M) senior Pierce Gentry was tasked to do as he spent his summer condu...

12/09/2024

News21 interviewed experts, as well as supporters and opponents of Donald Trump, to explore a key question this election year: What is Trump’s lasting legacy on American democracy? Story by Lillie Boudreaux and Ismael Lele, photos by Hudson French, Donovan Johnson and Jordan Moore, and video by Josie Malave:

It’s been a common refrain this election year: Democracy itself is at stake. Those assertions briefly abated after the July assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but a question nevertheless begs exploration: What is his lasting impact on American democracy?

11/09/2024

An insurrection, two impeachments, a felony conviction, division and distrust. Donald Trump himself was a key subject of last night's debate. One expert says if reelected, Trump will "wreak havoc" on American institutions. Supporters disagree. News21 reports:

It’s been a common refrain this election year: Democracy itself is at stake. Those assertions briefly abated after the July assassination attempt on Donald Trump, but a question nevertheless begs exploration: What is his lasting impact on American democracy?

11/09/2024

Debunked and dehumanizing misinformation specifically targeting immigrants was an unfortunate hallmark of the Trump-Harris debate. See how groups are fighting back against these type of claims. From News21's Eliana Alzate and Samantha Grove:

Disinformation has surged in the U.S. and beyond and become an especially powerful threat during election years. Experts say immigrant communities and people of color are particular targets, as bad actors exploit political fears and ideologies and find these voters where they congregate – on messa...

10/09/2024

Disinformation has become a powerful threat to democracy, and experts say immigrants & people of color are particular targets. News21 spoke with activists to learn more about how disinformation affects their friends, family and neighbors and how they’re fighting it. Click on the main story and then each portrait to hear and read their stories.

Disinformation has surged in the U.S. and around the world and become an especially powerful threat during election years. Experts say immigrant communities and people of color are particular targets, as bad actors exploit political fears and ideologies and find these voters where they congregate .....

09/09/2024

With the rising influence of Asian American, Latino and Black voters, disinformation campaigns are increasingly targeting them and other people of color. News21's Eliana Alzate and Samantha Grove examine how groups are uniting to combat the problem.

Disinformation has surged in the U.S. and beyond and become an especially powerful threat during election years. Experts say immigrant communities and people of color are particular targets, as bad actors exploit political fears and ideologies and find these voters where they congregate – on messa...

05/09/2024

After lies about the 2020 election culminated in the Capitol insurrection, public officials began working to restore Americans’ trust in the process. See what groups like The Carter Center and the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University are doing ahead of November:

From cross-partisan groups working in battleground states to off-the-record meetings of conservatives in Republican strongholds, new initiatives nationwide aim to restore trust in elections, combat ‘The Big Lie’ and shore up democracy.

04/09/2024

Election workers across the U.S. have been savaged by vicious threats ever since the 2020 election. News21 journalists spoke with experts at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law and traveled the country to talk with officials who fear for their lives and are fighting back.

Election intimidation became the norm after the 2020 election. To shore up democracy’s defenses this year, officials across the country are increasing training and implementing new protections, such as erecting ceiling-high fences to safeguard workers.

03/09/2024

Seven News21 fellows spent months investigating threats against election workers –and how groups like the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections are addressing the problem. See and hear firsthand what workers are experiencing in this story and video documentary:

Election intimidation became the norm after the 2020 election. To shore up democracy’s defenses this year, officials across the country are increasing training and implementing new protections, such as erecting ceiling-high fences to safeguard workers.

03/09/2024

America is months away from an election unlike any other. Election denialism has risen. Intimidation toward election workers is no longer rare but rather the norm. What does it all say about the state of our democracy? 29 journalism students spent months examining that question. “Fractured” goes beyond horse race election coverage to explore some of the deeper issues facing Americans at an unusual moment in our nation’s history.

See more:

America is months away from an election unlike any other. Election denialism is increasing. Intimidation and threats toward election workers are no longer rare but rather the norm. Disinformation is rampant. What does it all say about the state of our democracy – come November and beyond? “Fract...

03/09/2024

In May, News21 won the prestigious Grand Prize in the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Journalism Awards for its 2023 project about America after Roe. Tomorrow we launch “Fractured,” an examination of American democracy in an election year like no other. Content is available for use. See the trailer:

02/09/2024

The final push toward Election Day is on. This year, 29 college journalism students spent months reporting on the state of American democracy as part of Carnegie-Knight News21. Launching tomorrow, “Fractured” explores some of the most important issues of our time. See the trailer:

08/04/2024

If you haven't voted yet, now is the time. Please take literally 1 minute to cast your vote for our 2023 News21 student video journalists for their outstanding work covering the reversal of Roe v. Wade. They've been nominated for The Webby Awards. Click on this link and vote for "America After Roe." http://bit.ly/49srLYB You have to register with an email address, and then go to your email and confirm that you're not a robot. And if you don't see the email to confirm your vote, check your junk folder. Find the entire project here: https://americaafterroe.news21.com/ Student journalism has NEVER been better.

08/09/2023

Black women die from pregnancy-related causes at far higher rates than white women, and activists worry abortion bans will worsen maternal health. See how groups like SisterSong are helping. Story and photos by Shelby Rae Wills. Video story by Jada Respress and Peyton Brooks.

Black women are far more likely to die of pregnancy-related causes than white women across the U.S. In the South, activists and providers are working to overcome these disparities, which they worry will worsen amid abortion bans.