Grassroots Journalism

Call for Writers for Issue #2

We posted about issue two of Protest Magazine a few days ago. We’re focusing on communication this time around- plenty of topics to dissect within the theme of communication, one of which is journalism.

Our ancestors shared information with one another for survival and to keep up traditions and for religious purposes- this was done through word of mouth, art and/or transcript. Our ancestors believed it was their responsibility to inform members of their community. And they were right. Today, we still follow the tradition of relaying information to our people, but this survival tool has expanded with the swell of the internet.

In fact, a subculture of modern journalism has emerged with the help of our social media accounts. Unintentional reporters can be found scattered throughout our following and followers lists on Facebook and Twitter. They gave us real-time updates during historical moments like the protests at Ferguson and the Women's March. Our friends list is filled with community journalists, their occasional thread of tweets function as social commentary and short history lessons.

Big-name media publications shouldn't reign the direction of journalism. Stories pushed by those in power are typically chosen based on its potential to build capital. With a motive like this, the exclusion and bias we see in journalism is perpetuated and only those in power reap the benefits, not the audience it's meant to serve. And, to no one's surprise, important stories go untold.

Submit you work here.

Complete the Google form to submit your work. Your work can focus on the topic of journalism or any other topic related to communication.

If you have issues during your submission process, please email inquire@protestmagazine.com

Time has shown that everyday people have perspectives worth paying attention to and news worth sharing. Protest is excited to read your essays related to the expansive field of journalism.

The suggested topics below are some areas to focus on, but don’t limit yourself.

• Trust in journalism - clickbait, credibility, misinformation and propaganda

• Leveling the playing field - reasons women and women of color are needed in the field of journalism and photojournalism

• Exclusion and bias in journalism - Mainstream media's effect on news reporting and equal opportunity reporting

• The impact of diversity within writers, staff and producers of news media publications

• The importance of local newspapers and new media companies

We’re excited to collaborate with you.

Simone & Protest Mag Team

“Civil unrest has been happening for generations and generations, we just now have the tools to show it to the world. Social media and the Internet has given us a lens to see everything that is happening in real time.”

-Cindy Trinh of Activist NYC. Protest spoke with Cindy Trinh on the matter of grassroots journalism a while back. Find the rest of the interview here.