SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

The Media’s Role in Democracy: A Call for Responsibility and Change
“Death by a thousand cuts” is the phrase Maria Ressa—a Filipino-American journalist who co-founded Rappler, a Manila-based digital media company known for its investigative journalism—has used to describe the gradual erosion of democratic norms and institutions. This slow, insidious process, Maria warns, can weaken democracies to the point of collapse.

Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, Maria is joining us as the opening keynote speaker for our Media Impact Forum on June 10 at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Maria will be sharing her perspectives on the impact of disinformation and the role of social media in shaping public perception; how today’s technology platforms undermine democratic processes and fuel division; and the path forward for fostering a media ecosystem rooted in truth, integrity, and empathy.

• Maria Ressa, Co-Founder, Rappler

Brain Burst: The Power of Local Influence: Engaging Nano and Micro-Influencers
Justin Arenstein of Code for Africa unveils a groundbreaking initiative focused on strengthening information ecosystems by engaging nano and micro-influencers—local personalities with highly engaged audiences, typically ranging from 25,000 to 50,000 followers. Through techniques like social listening and narrative mapping, they identify these influencers and support their growth by fostering partnerships with media organizations.

The initiative facilitates collaboration between media outlets and influencers, promoting knowledge sharing and amplifying credible voices within thematically or geographically connected communities. Media plays a pivotal role as a unifying force, empowering influencers to cultivate deeply engaged audiences while addressing critical issues such as extremism, climate change, and public health.

Using tools to track evolving narratives and audience sentiments over time, influencers and media partners are able to remain responsive to community needs. By building meaningful relationships and amplifying trustworthy voices, this initiative strengthens information ecosystems, fosters resilient communities, and equips individuals to navigate complex challenges in an increasingly interconnected world.

• Justin Arenstein, Co-Founder & CEO, Code for Africa

Bridging Impact: Nonprofits, Creators, and the Future of Digital Engagement
Building on the exploration of democracy’s challenges, Ashwath Narayanan, CEO of Social Currant, will examine how nonprofits can harness the power of creator partnerships to reach and engage diverse audiences. This session will spotlight actionable strategies and insights into navigating the rapidly evolving social media landscape, highlighting a nonprofit’s success story that demonstrates the transformative potential of these collaborations.

By connecting the dots between media’s role in shaping democracy and the fight to reclaim attention, this session will provide a practical roadmap for organizations to amplify their impact, inspire action, and foster meaningful connections in an increasingly fragmented digital world.

• Ashwath Narayanan, CEO, Social Currant

The Power of Narrative: Understanding the Playbook Shaping Public Opinion
Rita Parhad and Sydney Apple from Protagonist will present groundbreaking research conducted in partnership with Lumina Foundation, born out of their longstanding analysis of media narratives about higher education, economic opportunity, and social mobility. This session will focus on how partisan media shapes our public discourse, with a particular focus on the influential rightwing media ecosystem that, through a set of discernible tactics, advances a core set of strategic narratives which are shaping how Americans view themselves, their place in the world, and the range of what is possible. It will also include an update on their most recent research, an examination of leftwing media outlets and their own efforts to shape the public conversation.

By exploring how these two parallel but unequal ecosystems operate, Rita and Sydney will lay the foundation for understanding how these dynamics shape issues like academic freedom, immigrant rights, climate action, racial & gender equity, and economic justice. Attendees will gain an overview of this important research, setting the stage for those interested in actionable insights to participate in an afternoon breakout session for deeper engagement and solutions-focused discussion.

• Rita Parhad
• Sydney Apple

Brain Burst: Science Meets Storytelling
These are challenging times for science, as misinformation rises and resources disappear. Amid this, many Americans are tuning out, overwhelmed by heavy headlines. Yet, science literacy is more vital than ever.

Flora Lichtman, the new host of Science Friday, is redefining how science connects with the public. By transforming viral pop culture moments into teachable opportunities, she weaves science into everyday narratives. Drawing from her experience as host of Gimlet’s Every Little Thing podcast, Flora uses curiosity and storytelling to engage audiences and build trust.

Flora will share how Science Friday is inspiring new audiences with playful, relevant content, offering a blueprint for making science—and truth—accessible and engaging in today’s fragmented media landscape.

• Flora Lichtman, Host, Science Friday

Putting Research into Action: Culture-First Approach to Climate Narratives
This session explores how Harmony Labs and Earth Alliance collaborated to identify and engage audiences missing from the climate conversation, blending together in one pilot project groundbreaking behavioral media research with influencer partnerships and media testing and iteration. Harmony Labs Executive Director, Brian Waniewski will share key research findings and showcase how these findings informed an influencer media strategy to connect with untapped audiences, offering climate communicators new pathways for engaging diverse communities.

• Brian Waniewski, Executive Director, Harmony Labs

Strengthening Connections: Using the Civic Information Index to Bridge Information Gaps CONFIRMED
How can media outlets better connect with their communities and audiences? In this session, Jesse Hardman of Listening Post Collective and Maritza Felix of Conecta Arizona will explore how the Civic Information Index provided critical insights that enabled Conecta Arizona to deepen engagement with their audience via WhatsApp. By identifying gaps in civic information, the Index helped Conecta Arizona focus on under-addressed topics, fostering more meaningful and relevant connections with their community.

Developed through a collaboration between the Listening Post Collective at Internews, the Information Futures Lab at Brown University, and an expert Advisory Group, the Civic Information Index maps drivers of engaged, informed, and equitable communities. With data on volunteerism, housing insecurity, medical debt, and local news presence, the Index offers media organizations a powerful tool to understand community strengths and challenges.

This session will showcase how the Index framework, methodology, and findings can guide journalism stakeholders in building deeper, data-driven relationships with their audiences and addressing critical community needs.

Speakers:

• Jesse Hardman, Listening Post Collective
• Maritza Felix

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Countering Strategic Narratives: Solutions for Advancing Social Progress
For those looking to dive deeper into the research presented earlier, this breakout session offers an opportunity to engage with thought leaders and practitioners on strategies to build the infrastructure for strategic narratives. In conversation with Nima Shirazi from Spitfire Strategies, alongside Rita Prahad from Protagonist, Janai Raphael of Lumina Foundation, moderated by Sandy Herz, the session will explore actionable steps funders and stakeholders can take to build infrastructures for a fair and thriving media ecosystems.

Through a mix of discussion and collaboration, attendees will examine case studies, share challenges, and identify solutions to amplify social movements, protect academic freedom, and promote equitable policies. This session is designed for those ready to connect research insights to tangible actions that foster a more just and inclusive society. What is the call to action? Supporting this work is worth doing.

Speakers:

• Nima Shirazi
• Rita Parhad
• Janai Raphael
• Sandy Herz, Co-founder, WUCO Impact

More mainstage discussions and breakout sessions will be announced soon! Check back soon for updates!