With ever increasing levels of complexity (and some might say, volatility) in our media landscape, it has become all the more crucial to build strong working relationships with journalists. Reporters, editors, and owners face serious challenges to their industry, to be sure, but there are also signs of hope.
While it is only one aspect of my communications work these days, media relations still remains one of my favorite, largely because of the journalists, writers, and producers I’ve been fortunate to work with. Today, I just had to take a minute to appreciate all the hard work of many colleagues — advocates, allies, and activists– all across the media landscape.
In the past couple of years, I’ve worked on placements in outlets such as (in no particular order): San Francisco Chronicle, Associated Press, San Diego Union Tribune, CNN, CNN en Español, NBC Los Angeles evening news, KPCC, NPR, Sacramento Bee, Huffington Post, and several stories in the Los Angeles Times. I’ve also worked with great folks through collaborative media partnerships and have coordinated content that has led to coverage in outlets including (in no particular order): New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post Wonkblog, Fusion, ABC 7 LA Eyewitness News, National Journal, CBS LA news , NBCnews.com, Mother Jones, Al Jazeera America, Telemundo, Univision, KCRW, APM Marketplace, Asian Journal, Mashable, Vibe, KCET Departures web series, Truthout, Think Progress, The Atlantic CityLab, The Grist, La Opinión, KPFA Pacifica Radio, San Francisco Business Times, Los Angeles Daily News, New American Media, Latina Magazine, The Orange County Register, The Root, the LAist, Inside Edition, and Independent UK.
Take heart. There are indeed great journalists out there still fighting the good fight. Whether in mainstream broadcast media, online magazines, independent presses, blogs, podcasts, and everything in between, they are integral allies in our movements and ecosystems for social change. Let’s applaud those who are committed to noble art of telling the stories that need to be told.
Gladys Malibiran 