April 6-12, 2025 | Mexico
The inaugural Salon of Authentic Journalism brought together journalists, activists, and media creators from four continents for a week that redefined what journalism can be. In the mountains of Mexico, something extraordinary happened.
Participants co-created sessions around battle-tested strategies from successful struggles worldwide: community organizing tactics from Chicago, film festivals that build movements in Kenya, dilemma actions that leave mining companies with no good options in Minnesota, fundraising strategies, satirical tactics for social change, video-making tips for movement media, working with kids in vulnerable communities, podcasting for the digital age, covering illegal miners’ struggles in South Africa, supporting women’s bodily autonomy, and cybersecurity skills (including lock-picking lessons at the bar) from badass female hackers.
The Salon featured direct collaboration with local movements actively fighting: organizers defending territory against open-pit mining and advocates securing access to safe, legal abortion. Real struggles. Real victories. Real lessons.
Between sessions, the rhythm never slowed. People shared meals, swapped ideas by the pool late into the night, and burst into laughter during theatrical sketches. Joy filled the space, steady, contagious, and essential. It reminded us why we fight, and who we’re fighting for.
The Salon proved something powerful: when Authentic Journalists and organized communities come together, the stories that emerge don’t just inform – they transform.
The Salon needs to happen again. The urgency is real, the momentum is here, and the model works. Let’s build on it.
The next Salon will take place in 2026. Stay tuned for our international open call.
Have a question? Reach out to us at salon@authenticjournalism.org.
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