NLGJA 2026 National Convention

Media is at a critical inflection point. As legacy and mainstream outlets decline ― in readership, trust, funding and support for marginalized populations ― progressive media makers are using emergent strategies to shape the future of storytelling. Among these innovative methods of storytelling, a unifying vision has emerged: in the future, marginalized communities will maintain agency over our own narratives.  This panel will feature four trans and nonbinary thought leaders, from journalists to authors to community organizers, articulating possible pathways for building the media future we deserve. Participants will leave the session with ideas for how to integrate this vision in their current newsrooms, and inspiration for building their own media initiatives. Attendees will gain an understanding of movement journalism and the frameworks for establishing media co-ops and zines. They will also network with other media makers who share similar goals, increasing their ability to accomplish them.