Protesters gather outside the U.S. Supreme Court on June 30, 2024, in anticipation of a ruling regarding presidential immunity. (Photo by Donovan Johnson/News21)
ABOUT THE PROJECT
A merica is mere months away from an election unlike any other. It is the first since the Jan. 6, 2021, siege on the Capitol. It is the first in which an ex-president – and now candidate for re-election – has been convicted of criminal charges and faces still more. It’s also the first that comes amid the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, disinformation and deepfakes.
Election denialism is increasing. Polls show more people are willing to condone violence to “secure” democracy. And intimidation and threats toward election workers are no longer rare but rather the norm.
Fellow Abigail Beck shoots b-roll outside a church in Alabama. (Photo by Jordan Moore/News21)
What does it all say about the state of our democracy – come November and beyond?
This summer, 29 journalists from 14 universities across the U.S. gathered at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication to explore – and try to answer – that very question.
“There are signs of cracks in the foundations of our democracy,” says just one of many fighting to repair the damage.
“Fractured” goes beyond horse race election coverage to examine some of the deeper questions facing Americans at an unusual moment in our nation’s history.
The final project – in text, video, audio, photos and graphics – will be available to media outlets for publication at no cost.
The Carnegie Corporation of New York and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation joined forces in 2005 to launch News21 as a cornerstone of the Carnegie-Knight Initiative on the Future of Journalism Education.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation provides core support for News21.
Individual fellows are supported by their universities as well as a variety of foundations, news organizations and philanthropic partners that include the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Inasmuch Foundation, The Arizona Republic/azcentral, Gray Television, Myrta Pulliam and more.
“Fractured” is part of U.S. Democracy Day, a nationwide collaborative on Sept. 15, the International Day of Democracy, in which news organizations cover how democracy works and the threats it faces. To learn more, visit usdemocracyday.org.
USE OUR CONTENT
News21 content is free. Media partners interested in publishing or airing it must simply agree to the terms of use and conditions set forth by the Cronkite School. To stay updated, contact Executive Editor Pauline Arrillaga at pauline.arrillaga@asu.edu.
FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS
MEET THE FELLOWS
Myrta J. Pulliam Fellow
she/her/hers
Eliana Alzate is a junior 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.
he/him/his
Kyle Chouinard is a 2024 graduate of Syracuse University, majoring in policy studies and magazine, news and digital journalism. He has worked for The Daily Orange, SU’s student newspaper, as managing editor and news editor and interned with City & State New York, a political magazine. Chouinard has accepted a position with The Las Vegas Sun as a general assignment reporter.
she/her/hers
Celia Frazier is an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder, majoring in journalism with a minor in Spanish. She has worked for the CU Independent, an award-winning collegiate newspaper, as a reporter, managing editor and editor-in-chief. Frazier also worked as an intern for Boulder’s local paper, the Boulder Daily Camera, writing stories and taking photos.
she/her/hers
Juanita Hurtado Huérfano is an undergraduate at the University of Colorado Boulder, majoring in journalism with dual minors in creative writing and linguistics. She specializes in bilingual reporting and audio journalism. Hurtado works as the assistant news director at KVCU 1190, a college radio station. The Society of Professional Journalists has recognized her work with awards for podcasts in 2022 and 2023.
Inasmuch Foundation Fellow
he/him/his
Christopher Lomahquahu graduated from Arizona State University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in fine art and received his master’s degree in social work from ASU in 2013. He has worked for the Gila River Indian News and O’odham Action News. He is studying for a master’s degree in investigative journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Buffett Foundation Fellow
she/her/hers
Shelby Rickert is an undergraduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a journalism major and a minor in political science. She has worked as a reporter for the Daily Nebraskan student newspaper, as an intern at the Valley Voice Newspaper and with Nebraska News Service.
she/her/hers
Romie Avivi Stuhl is an undergraduate student at the University of Oregon, majoring in journalism with a minor in Middle East and North African studies. She has worked for the Daily Emerald student newspaper as a multicultural writer and digital managing editor, for the Finder newspaper in Ghana as a reporter and for FLUX Magazine as a writer and art director.
Inasmuch Foundation Fellow
he/him/his
Denzen Cortez is an undergraduate at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University, majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in political science. He is a reporter for Cronkite News on Arizona PBS and a former multimedia intern for KTAR News. He is a member of the Sacramento Press Club and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. He will intern with ABC World News Tonight in New York in the fall.
Buffett Foundation Fellow
he/him/his
Hudson French is pursuing a master’s degree at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. French is a 2023 graduate of Ball State University, majoring in digital sports production. He has worked as a broadcaster for Ball State and Arizona State University games, team photographer for Ball State football, a freelance photographer and a content creator for the NCAA.
Inasmuch Foundation Fellow
she/her/hers
Dani Ingram is a 2024 graduate of the University of Oklahoma, earning her B.A. in Journalism with a minor in History. She has been published in print and broadcast journalism and is an award-winning video journalist. She has worked for NPR’s affiliate station KGOU as a reporter, host and producer. Ingram has also done work in PR, marketing, and commercial radio at Wright Wradio.
she/her/hers
Joslyn Malave is a senior at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, majoring in news media with a sports concentration and minoring in communication. She has been a reporter for The Crimson White, a student newspaper, and interned for local news station WVUA 23.
Inasmuch Foundation Fellow
they/them/theirs
Eshaan Sarup is studying for their master’s degree in investigative journalism at Arizona State University. They graduated from the University of Virginia in 2022 with a degree in public policy and economics. Sarup has interned at Charlottesville Weekly and The Arizona Republic.
Don Bolles/Arizona Republic Fellow
she/her/hers
Abigail Beck is an undergraduate student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University. She is a managing editor of ASU’s award-winning collegiate newspaper, The State Press. Beck has reported for The Arizona Republic and State Press Magazine. She will graduate in the spring of 2025.
Inasmuch Foundation Fellow
she/her/hers
Peggy Dodd is a senior at the University of Oklahoma, majoring in journalism with a minor in women’s and gender studies. She has worked for the OU Daily for three years as a news reporter and later as news managing editor. She serves as editor-in-chief of the OU Daily student newspaper and has interned at KOSU radio and KGOU radio.
he/him/his
Pierce Gentry is an undergraduate student studying journalism and English at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He has worked for The Daily Beacon as a writer and investigative journalist and as a news intern for WUOT, Knoxville’s local NPR-affiliate station.
Buffett Foundation Fellow
he/him/his
Donovan Johnson is a 2024 graduate of Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication and a minor in design studies. He has worked as a photojournalist, videographer, video producer and designer for ASU’s journalism, music and sustainability schools. He recently traveled with a study-abroad program to the Ecuadorian Amazon, which led to a photo exhibit to fundraise for sustainability research in the Amazon.
Buffett Foundation Fellow
she/her/hers
Jordan Moore is a 2024 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, majoring in journalism with a minor in political science. She has worked on multimedia projects with a focus on photography and writing.
Buffett Foundation Fellow
she/her/hers
Vivian Serafin is studying for her master’s degree from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. She graduated from ASU in 2021, majoring in film and media production. Rooted in her background as a first-generation college student and child of immigrants, she believes in storytelling as a public service.
Inasmuch Foundation Fellow
she/her/hers
Lillie Boudreaux graduated in May 2024 from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. Boudreaux reported on state politics and social justice in the Phoenix and Washington, D.C., bureaus of ASU’s Cronkite News. She also has worked at the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations, Al Arabiya News, ASU News and Arizona PBS.
Inasmuch Foundation Fellow
he/him/his
Nate Engle is a 2024 graduate of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. He has worked in the New Media Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab at Cronkite and for NPR affiliate KJZZ as a reporter covering science, technology and the environment.
Buffett Foundation Fellow
she/her/hers
Samantha Grove is a 2024 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with a major in journalism, broadcast and anthropology, and a minor in archaeology. She specializes in audio production. She produced audio content for KRNU, the campus radio station, reported for the Nebraska News Service and created content for the University of Nebraska State Museum.
Inasmuch Foundation Fellow
she/her/hers
Hannah Lee is a senior at the University of Oklahoma, majoring in journalism at the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication and pursuing a minor in sociology. She has worked at the OU Daily student newspaper as a designer and for Gaylord News as a political reporter and multimedia reporter.
she/her/hers
Gabi Morando is a 2024 graduate of Butler University, where she majored in journalism with a minor in strategic communication. She served as a managing editor of The Butler Collegian, the campus newspaper, helped found a student-run publishing company and interned with Fox 32 Chicago, Fox 59/CBS 4, WISH TV and the Richland Source.
Inasmuch Foundation Fellow
she/her/hers
Olivia Talkington is an undergraduate at the University of Oklahoma, studying journalism and human relations. She has worked for Gaylord News as a multimedia political reporter, as a production assistant for SoonerVision and as a human resources intern at Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
she/her/hers
Delaney Chase is an undergraduate at St. Bonaventure University, majoring in journalism with a minor in political science. She is a reporter for TAPinto Greater Olean, a local online newspaper. She is also a campus correspondent and editor for the St. Bonaventure Chapter of Her Campus, an online magazine for female college students.
Gray Television Fellow
he/him/his
Marshal Farmer is a senior at the University of North Texas, majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in communication studies. He has experience both as a reporter and a studio director, anchoring for UNT’s student-run North Texas Television and studio directing for the North Texas Daily.
he/him/his
Joshua Harrison-Williams is a senior at Morgan State University, majoring in multimedia journalism. Harrison-Williams reports and writes for the MSU Spokesman, a student news site, and serves as a student co-host on WEAA 88.9’s Inside Morgan Sports Show. He previously was a college football player at Seton Hall University and Frostburg State University.
Inasmuch Foundation Fellow
he/him/his
Ismael Lele is an undergraduate at the University of Oklahoma, majoring in journalism and minoring in English. He has worked for the OU Daily campus newspaper, covering city news as a reporter and editor.
NBCU Fellow
she/her/hers
Emily Richardson is a 2024 graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where she studied digital journalism and contributed to Capital News Service, the school’s statehouse reporting program. She has held internships at local publications, reporting on education, sustainability and art.
STAFF
Executive Editor: Pauline Arrillaga
Managing Editor: Venita Hawthorne James
Photo Editor: Adriana Zehbrauskas
Video Editor: Angela Hill
Audio Editor: Regina Revazova
Assistant Video Editor: Jim Jacoby
Innovation Editor: Retha Hill
Logo Design: Emily Richardson, Eliana Alzate, Donovan Johnson
Story Editors: Andrew Donohue, Leonard Downie, Mizanur Rahman, Kelly Vaughn
Copy Editor: Noah Austin
Website Administrators: Adnan Alam, Julia Thompson
Administrative Editor: Rebecca Blatt
Business and Finance: Nazeef Ebrahim, Shannon Mangino, Joanna Alvillar