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In this podcast episode, I discuss how Black and Brown-owned media outlets are growing with Mitra Kalita, co-founder of URL and publisher of Epicenter NYC, Alexandra Martinez, senior news reporter at Prism, and Malak Silmi of Outlier Media. We also explore the federal impact on local communities and how access to the morning-after pill, the pandemic, and small business have been affected. Additionally, we discuss the rise of right-wing extremism and the complexities of the migrant influx into New York City. We also touch on the importance of coming together for collaboration and using the language of the impacted communities for reporting. Lastly, we thank the participants for their contributions and collaboration to this podcast.

Guests:

S. Mitra Kalita: Co-Founder, URL Media; CEO & Publisher, Epicenter-NYC

Alexandra Martinez: Senior News Reporter, Prism

Malak Silmi: Reporter, Outlier Media

Chapters:

(0:00:01) - BiPOC Media Outlets

(0:14:53) - Federal Impact on Local Communities

(0:30:03) - Siloing and the Right-Wing Red Wave

(0:41:59) - Coming Together for Collaboration

Chapter Summaries:

(0:00:01) - BiPOC Media Outlets (15 Minutes)

Meet the BiPOC Press' focuses on the growth of URL Media, a national network of black and brown-owned media outlets. Mitra Kalita, co-founder of URL and publisher of Epicenter NYC, Alexandra Martinez, senior news reporter at Prism, and Malak Silmi of Outlier Media each shared their perspectives on the stories that will be driving news coverage in the coming year. Topics discussed included the economy, housing, finance, politics, reproductive justice, voting rights, public health and more. The conversation also focused on the use of the term 'BiPOC'

(0:14:53) - Federal Impact on Local Communities (15 Minutes)

This conversation examines how the current climate of emergency and lack of federal funding has impacted local communities across the US. Topics discussed include the FDA's recent approval of the abortion pill, the unequal access to the morning-after pill among different states, and how the pandemic has impacted small businesses and public health. The participants also discussed how different methods of reporting are being used to capture local meetings and to disrupt false narratives, as well as the anti-gay protests that have been occurring in cities across the country. They emphasize the importance of centering the solutions from the impacted communities and using the language they want to use.

(0:30:03) - Siloing and the Right-Wing Red Wave (12 Minutes)

This conversation focuses on the growing number of anti-trans bills, anti-abortion bills, and the rise of right-wing extremism across the United States. The participants discuss how they are covering these issues in their reporting and how they are reaching new audiences in an age where social media algorithms are increasingly limiting visibility. They also explore the complexities of the migrant influx into New York City and how the public services are struggling to provide support. It is discussed how media must be cautious when covering these stories and how trust and honest reporting is key to connecting with the communities affected by these issues'

(0:41:59) - Coming Together for Collaboration (0 Minutes)

This conversation focused on the mayor's visit to El Paso at the New Year and his announcement that eight thousand people have come into New in the past year. The participants discussed the significance of this influx of people and the collaboration between them in the monthly round table. The conversation ended with the speaker thanking the participants for their contribution and collaboration to the podcast'

Key Words:

BiPOC Media, URL Media, Mitra Kalita, Epicenter NYC, Alexandra Martinez, Prism, Malak Silmi, Outlier Media, Federal Impact, Local Communities, Morning-After Pill, Pandemic, Small Business, Right-Wing Extremism, Migrant Influx, New York City, Collaboration, Language of Impacted Communities, Economy, Housing, Finance, Politics, Reproductive Justice, Voting Rights, Public Health, Abortion Pill, Anti-Trans Bills, Anti-Abortion Bills, Social Media Algorithms, El Paso, Round Table

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