MARIA MARTIN'S PODCAST "SOS CENTRAL AMERICA"

I am a veteran journalist and journalism educator, a pioneer in public radio, and the founder of the program LATINO USA, which recently celebrated 30 years on the air. As an independent freelance journalist often based in Central America under the auspices of the non-profit GraciasVida Center for Media, I am raising money to be able to explore in an in-depth manner the crisis of democracy, human rights, and the break-down of the rule of law in the Central American region and how that impacts migration to the U.S.

One objective of this proposed project is to provide background and context to the phenomenon of migration and the backtracking of democracy by hearing from Central American voices—of everyday people along with those of journalists, academics, officials, and other experts—voices that need to be heard as corruption, growing authoritarianism, violence, poverty, and climate change continue to push migrants North.

Another objective is to follow the deterioration of democracy and the rule of law in many Central American countries —Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador among them, and to examine this phenomenon in the light of policies and actions by the Biden Administration from the perspective of Central America—from indigenous villages to the halls of power.

The series would also explore and investigate the long relationship between the United States and the Central American region— and examine changes, outcomes, and impact of President Biden’s Central America policy in features, documentaries, and a podcast series of compelling audio/multi-media content and first-class reporting and production.

Because few U.S. journalists have the perspective I’ve developed of the region from which I’ve reported for so long, I am in a unique position to tell these stories as well as to establish a platform—the SOS CENTRAL AMERICA podcast I am launching— for consistent coverage of a region that has had historic cyclical treatment in most U.S. media.

This project also seeks to continue Martin’s long-time mentoring mission by setting up a Fellowship Program to train and mentor the next generation of journalists reporting from this critical region.

Maria Martin and the GVCM have previously worked with numerous early career journalists on previous reporting projects, including the original and updated versions of Despues de Las Guerras Central America After the Wars, these journalists acknowledge the significance this learning experience has had on their careers.

Thus, this project will provide needed context and new investigative information on topics such as the “migration crisis,” the security issues facing the “failed” Northern Triangle democracies, and the role U.S. policy plays.

Want to join me in making a difference? Any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for contributing to this cause that means so much to so many in the U.S. and in all of the Americas.