Artificial intelligence is driving one of the largest infrastructure expansions in decades, and Pennsylvania has become a major target for new data center development.

In this extended conversation, we sit down with Karen Feridun, co-founder of Berks Gas Truth and Better Path Coalition, to discuss what this rapid buildout could mean for communities across the Commonwealth.

From electricity demand and natural gas to local zoning, water use, and economic development, we explore many of the questions surrounding the state's growing role in powering the AI economy.

Whether you believe data centers represent an opportunity, a challenge, or something in between, this conversation offers additional context and perspective on one of Pennsylvania's most consequential infrastructure debates.

We cover:

Why Pennsylvania has become attractive for AI data centers The relationship between data centers, electricity, and natural gas Local control and land-use concerns Community engagement and public participation The opportunities and tradeoffs of large-scale AI infrastructure

What role should Pennsylvania play in the AI revolution? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

If you enjoy conversations like this, please consider subscribing to Exposure for more long-form interviews exploring energy, public health, science, policy, and the future of Appalachia.

Ohio Valley Allies (OVA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to education, transparency, and community engagement on environmental and public health issues affecting the Ohio Valley.

Disclaimer: Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at [email protected] for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

#Exposure #Texas #Petrochemicals #LNG #Ammonia #EnvironmentalJustice #CommunityScience #AirQuality #WaterCrisis #IndustrialDevelopment #CoastalWatch #TexasCoast #OhioValleyAllies

Three years later, many East Palestine residents are still asking the same question: What happened to our water?

In this conversation, Yale researcher Dr. Nicole Deziel provides an update on the Yale Water Study which was designed to assess the potential long-term impact of the Norfolk Southern Train Derailment in East Palestine OH, what researchers have learned so far, and how a sophisticated hydrology model is being developed to better understand how contaminants may have moved through the environment following the derailment and vent-and-burn operation.

Join the study here - https://research.uky.edu/environment/east-palestine-health-research/water-research-project

We discuss:

• The current status of the Yale Water Study • How the drinking water survey is being used • The hydrology model and what it can (and cannot) tell us • How researchers are identifying potential gaps in existing testing • The relationship between the Yale Water Study and the larger East Palestine Health Research Program • Study funding and scientific independence • What residents can realistically expect from the research • How this work could help communities facing future environmental disasters

This conversation is intended to provide transparency, answer common community questions, and give residents a better understanding of the research currently underway.

#EastPalestine #TrainDerailment #Yale #NicoleDeziel #WaterStudy #EnvironmentalHealth #PublicHealth #Ohio #Pennsylvania #ExposurePodcast #OhioValleyAllies #EnvironmentalScience #DrinkingWater #Research

Ohio Valley Allies (OVA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to education, transparency, and community engagement on environmental and public health issues affecting the Ohio Valley.

Disclaimer: Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at [email protected] for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

#Exposure #Texas #Petrochemicals #LNG #Ammonia #EnvironmentalJustice #CommunityScience #AirQuality #WaterCrisis #IndustrialDevelopment #CoastalWatch #TexasCoast #OhioValleyAllies

What happens when a small coastal community finds itself surrounded by some of the largest oil, gas, LNG, and petrochemical facilities in North America?

In this episode of Exposure, we sit down with Rhianna Scott and Payton Campbell of the Coastal Watch Association, a Texas-based organization working to monitor industrial expansion, track environmental permits, conduct community air monitoring, and help residents understand what is happening in their own backyard.

From proposed blue ammonia facilities and carbon dioxide pipelines to air quality concerns, water shortages, and the challenges of keeping communities informed, this conversation explores the realities of life on one of America's industrial frontlines.

The discussion also examines how permit processes work, why public participation matters, and what happens when local residents organize to engage with decisions that may affect their health, environment, and future.

Coastal Watch Association has become a growing voice for transparency, community science, and public engagement along the Texas Coastal Bend. Their work offers a unique look at how ordinary citizens can become deeply involved in understanding and responding to large-scale industrial development.

Learn more about Coastal Watch Association: https://www.iobcwa.org/

Follow Exposure: https://www.ohiovalleyallies.org

Disclaimer: Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at [email protected] for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

#Exposure #Texas #Petrochemicals #LNG #Ammonia #EnvironmentalJustice #CommunityScience #AirQuality #WaterCrisis #IndustrialDevelopment #CoastalWatch #TexasCoast #OhioValleyAllies

For years we were told the digital economy was clean. Our digital lives have been increasingly moved to "the cloud." But there is no cloud. There are only buildings, power plants, transmission lines, substations, water systems, and the physical infrastructure required to support an increasingly digital world.

As artificial intelligence accelerates, for the first time we are being confront with the physical footprint of our digital world and communities across the United States are being asked to absorb the consequences of an unprecedented buildout of hyperscale data centers. These projects require enormous amounts of land, electricity, water, and public infrastructure. Yet many of the conversations surrounding AI focus almost entirely on software, automation, and the future of work while ignoring the physical reality being built on the ground.

In this episode of Exposure Points, Stuart Day explores the hidden costs of the AI boom and asks whether society is fully accounting for the impacts of these massive developments. Who benefits? Who bears the costs? How much influence should local communities have over projects that can fundamentally reshape their landscapes, economies, and public resources?

From energy demand and water consumption to tax incentives, zoning, democratic accountability, and the concentration of power, this episode examines the questions many communities are beginning to ask as data center development spreads across the country.

This is not an argument against technology. It is an argument for transparency, accountability, and informed public participation in decisions that may shape the future for generations.

Joining Stuart is Karen Feridun of the Better Path Coalition - https://www.betterpathcoalition.org/ Support independent journalism at https://www.exposurestudios.org

Disclaimer: Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at [email protected] for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

#fracking #trucking #OhioRiverValley #Appalachia #PublicHealth #datacenters #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #CloudComputing #EnergyInfrastructure #Technology #EconomicDevelopment #EnvironmentalHealth #Democracy #Infrastructure #ExposurePoints #ExposureStudios

Tom McKnight spent years working in the oil and gas industry—hauling condensate, crude, and waste, and cleaning up well sites during some of the most intense phases of production.

He liked the work. He made good money. He took pride in being part of it.

But when radiation risks came up in training, he says he was told it was "no more than a cell phone." Years later, after repeated exposure to brine, sludge, and dust—often without proper protective equipment—Tom was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

In this episode, Tom walks through:

What daily work on active well pads actually looks like How exposure happens in routine tasks most people never see The culture inside the industry during its rapid expansion What workers were—and weren't—told about risk What should change to better protect the people doing the job

This is not a simple "for or against" conversation. It's a firsthand account from someone who lived it.

About Exposure: Exposure is an investigative and editorial podcast produced in partnership with Ohio Valley Allies. We document the human, environmental, and economic impacts of extractive industries through interviews, research, and storytelling.

If you found this conversation valuable: Subscribe, share, and help us reach more people.

Disclaimer:

Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at [email protected] for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

#fracking #trucking #OhioRiverValley #Appalachia #PublicHealth

From rural Ohio to public and political advocacy- MAHA Ohio director and former Ohio State director for Robert F Kennedy Jr. S presidential campaign, Elizabeth Frost discusses how growing up in the Ohio River Valley shaped her focus on environmental exposure.

Her story provides a lens into how industry, public policy, and public health intersect in small, rural communities. In this episode:

— A closer look at the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement — East Palestine, fracking, chemical exposure, and long-term health concerns — How corporate influence and public policy shape health outcomes in rural communities

Subscribe for more: Exposure investigates the hidden costs of extractive and petrochemical industries across the Ohio River Valley—and the communities living with the consequences.

Disclaimer:

Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to examine these industries using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at [email protected] for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

We encourage viewers to stay informed, engage thoughtfully with public policy, and participate in civic processes in their communities.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

#ElizabethFrost #MAHA #OhioRiverValley #Appalachia #PublicHealth

A new five-year human health study is now underway following the East Palestine train derailment and controlled burn. In this episode of Exposure, Jill and Stuart break down what's been announced, what a long-term study can (and can't) tell us, and why sustained health monitoring matters after a major chemical incident.

Official Health Study Webpage - https://research.uky.edu/environment/east-palestine-health-research

In this episode:

What we know about the 5-year study

Why long-term monitoring matters

What "health outcomes" can look like over time

What residents may want to watch for as the study moves forward

Subscribe for more: Exposure covers the hidden costs of extractive and petrochemical industry development across the Ohio River Valley—and the communities living with the consequences.

#EastPalestine #PublicHealth #NIH #ExposurePodcast #EnvironmentalHealth #OhioRiverValley #TrainDerailment

Disclaimer:

Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to expose the truth behind these industries' operations and consequences using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at [email protected] for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

For more than a decade, communities across Appalachia were promised an economic revival through shale gas development. Politicians spoke of a new Industrial Revolution. Industry leaders promised jobs, prosperity, and long-term growth.

But after hundreds of billions of dollars in extraction, many of the counties at the center of the fracking boom are still losing jobs, losing population, and falling behind the rest of the country.

In this episode of Exposure Points, Stuart Day breaks down what the data actually shows—and why rising GDP does not necessarily translate into healthier, more stable communities. We examine where the money from natural gas extraction really goes, how boom-bust cycles hollow out local economies, and why the true costs of fracking rarely appear in official economic reports.

This is not an argument for banning an industry. It is an examination of the gap between what was promised and what was delivered—and a question of accountability for communities living with the consequences.

Exposure Points is independent journalism. We accept no industry funding and maintain no political affiliations. Citations can be found on the associated blog at

Support our work at: https://exposurestudios.org #Frackalachia #Appalachia #Fracking #NaturalGas #EnergyEconomics #RuralAmerica #OhioRiverValley #EnvironmentalJustice #Extraction #IndependentJournalism #ExposurePoints

Disclaimer:

Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to expose the truth behind these industries' operations and consequences using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice, a call to action, or an endorsement of any specific viewpoint, protest, or organization.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at [email protected] for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for any political party, protest strategy, or legal action.

Journalist Callie Lyons joins Exposure to revisit the case that first exposed C8, the "forever chemical" produced at DuPont's Washington Works plant. Long before PFAS became a national headline, Calli was documenting the signs that something was wrong: a creek turning black, cattle dying without explanation, and a community trying to understand what was happening to their water.

In this episode, Callie explains how C8 entered drinking water for decades, how the legal fight unfolded, what the seven-year science panel discovered after studying 70,000 people, and why replacement chemicals like GenX have not solved the problem. This is the deeper story behind Dark Waters, told from the perspective of the people who lived through it.

If this episode matters to you, please subscribe and follow Exposure on all platforms — and head over to our new Substack to stay updated on this story and many more. If you believe clean water must be protected, consider supporting West Virginia Rivers Coalition (WV Rivers) in their ongoing legal fight against Chemours. Their work is now backed by a federal court order to stop unlawful chemical discharges into the Ohio River.

#PFAS #C8 #PFOA #ForeverChemicals #WaterContamination #EnvironmentalJustice #Appalachia #OhioRiverValley #DuPont #CalliLyons #ExposurePodcast #InvestigativeJournalism #ToxicChemicals #PublicHealth #DarkWatersStory

Disclaimer; Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to expose the truth behind these industries' operations and consequences using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes. Exposure encourages civic engagement, public participation, and lawful efforts to improve policy and protect communities.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at [email protected] for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, civic participation, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for illegal action or violence of any kind.

In this episode of Exposure Points, we break down what really happens beyond the well—the part of fracking most people never see. This isn't about the drilling rig or the well pad. It's about the system behind it: gas processing, ethane extraction, petrochemical manufacturing, storage hubs, ammonia and hydrogen projects, and the growing network of "advanced recycling" and waste-to-fuel facilities tied into the same supply chain.

Using industry documents, public filings, and community-level evidence, we trace how the Ohio River Valley became a target for a large-scale petrochemical buildout. We look at how ethane drives plastics production, why storage hubs were proposed across Appalachia, and why so many hydrogen, ammonia, and chemical recycling projects seem to appear and disappear without ever becoming real.

This episode examines: • how fracked gas becomes feedstock for plastics • the role of ethane crackers and processing plants • storage hubs and the risks they bring to communities • why hydrogen and ammonia projects rely heavily on gas • the realities of pyrolysis and "advanced recycling" • the economic promises vs. the lived outcomes • the long-term health and regulatory implications for the region

This is a clear, accessible look at the petrochemical system that quietly sits behind the fracking industry — and what it means for the people who live in the Ohio River Valley.

Exposure Points is our ongoing series covering current events, petrochemicals, industrial buildouts, environmental oversight, and the systems shaping rural and working-class communities. #ExposurePoints #Petrochemicals #Fracking #OhioRiverValley #EnergyIndustry #ChemicalIndustry #Ethane #PlasticsProduction #CurrentEvents

Disclaimer; Exposure is an editorial and investigative journalism platform produced by Ohio Valley Allies. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the organization or its affiliates. Statements made by guests reflect their personal experiences, interpretations, and analysis, and should not be construed as assertions made by Exposure.

Our mission is to investigate and document the impacts of extractive industries—including oil, gas, petrochemicals, and plastics—through in-depth interviews, research, and storytelling. We aim to expose the truth behind these industries' operations and consequences using good-faith inquiry, verified sources where possible, and the protections afforded to journalists under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

The content presented in this podcast is intended for informational, educational, and documentary purposes. Exposure encourages civic engagement, public participation, and lawful efforts to improve policy and protect communities.

We do not knowingly publish false or defamatory statements. All claims are based on publicly available information, firsthand accounts, expert interviews, or journalistic analysis. Where allegations or critical claims are made, we strive to provide context and sourcing.

We are committed to correcting material errors. If you believe a factual inaccuracy has occurred, please contact us at [email protected] for timely review and, if warranted, correction.

While Exposure covers controversial and high-stakes topics, we do so as journalists seeking transparency, accountability, civic participation, and the free exchange of ideas—not as advocates for illegal action or violence of any kind.