Student Excellence in Written Reporting

Eliana Alzate, “We need to speak out and speak loud’: People of color battle targeted disinformation,” Carnegie-Knight News21

ABOUT THE WORK: Seven news organizations republished this story, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Austin American-Statesman, Michigan Advance, The Progressive Magazine, News From the States, ICT News and Yahoo News. Election disinformation toward voters of color is a crucial issue that activist groups are striving to spotlight in mainstream media. The rise in targeted attacks on encrypted messaging groups increases barriers between truth and manipulated content. Through the widespread publication of our News21 story, grassroots organization such as Asian Texans for Justice, Jolt Action and SAAVETX were provided a platform to amplify their anti-disinformation initiatives for communities of color. Academic and state leaders from Texas also shared our work on their social media accounts.

Eliana Alzate is an undergrad from DePauw University, majoring in computer science and English writing with a minor in media studies. She has worked for The DePauw student newspaper as editor-in-chief and managing editor, as a videography intern for Dim University and as a communications intern in Chicago.

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