FrontLine Access protest coverage
Mission: To expand front-line coverage of the Black Lives Matter protests across the nation, including the increasingly brutal response by local and federal law enforcement during these events.
Why: To supplement the coverage we are currently getting from journalists, including many freelancers, on the front lines of these protests. With the escalating response from local and federal authorities, I feel it’s imperative to increase public access to these historic events.
How: All donations will go directly to travel (gas, lodging, ect), purchasing better video equipment and editing software to cover the protests as expansively as possible. We will be completely transparent with ALL of the funds we receive, including any in excess of the goal. Any additional funds will be donated to local BLM chapters in the cities we visit. I do not have any affiliation with the BLM organizations but will work with local activist leaders to make sure all of the excess funds go to legitimate organizations. I believe our goal will allow me to cover events for at least a month. If necessary, we will run additional fundraisers to continue the coverage beyond that time.
Sample of coverage: Front line coverage of the Portland BLM protests on July 25
My background: I have a degree in Communication with an emphasis on Broadcast Journalism from Washington State University. I have worked in radio, television, and digital media for the past 18 years, the majority of that spent in sports media. Within the past few years I’ve shifted my focus, even within my duties with previous employers, to what I viewed as historic social activism unfolding across the country, including and especially the BLM protests.
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Personal note:
I have been astonished and appalled by the tactics being used by federal and local law enforcement the past few weeks against peaceful protesters in various cities. My experience on the front lines in Portland have coalesced my feelings that if I can make a difference using the skills I’m trained in, then it’s my patriotic duty to use them at this time.
Like every person, I have strong personal views on what’s unfolding. It is my goal, however, to keep my coverage as “journalistically sound” as I possibly can. That means as much raw footage, interviews, and access as possible without personal commentary or opinions. To do this, it’s likely I will start a separate brand specifically for covering these events, allowing my personal Facebook page to continue to host my own commentary on the events.
In short, my goal is to present real, true coverage of the events without the propagandizing of individual actions and moments. That doesn’t mean I will be afraid to call out brutality or illegal actions when I see them, but I will stay away from the passionate personal commentary in order to allow comfortable access to anybody who wants a raw, uncensored view of the events, regardless of your personal beliefs.
Like many of you, the COVID pandemic has left me unemployed and without a steady source of income. I’m not able to finance the travels and coverage myself. That’s tough to admit publicly, but I suppose that’s life during when a pandemic mixes with massive social unrest
I have been very hesitant to start a fundraiser for this, as it is not my goal to use these civil rights protests and unfolding police brutality to benefit myself. In doing this, I want to be direct that I will hold true to that moral conviction. This is not about me, this is about telling the real story of the tens of thousands of front-line activists.
As I further develop strategies to enhance coverage, there will be full transparency into that process. The more donations this project receives, the more my COVERAGE will be enhanced, not my own bank account. Every dime of these donations will be accounted for.
If you are able to donate, it’s incredibly appreciated. You will help the front-line warriors fighting for change and equality in cities across the country have their stories told.
