Solidarity News brings important local stories into the light of day

John Q: During Sunshine Week, we recognize local journalists bringing stories into the light of day.

[00:00:08] DJ Suss D (KEPW News): Okay, I’m sitting here with Matthew from Solidarity News. Matthew, you want to tell me a little bit about yourself?

[00:00:14] Matthew (Solidarity News): Yeah, Solidarity News is a news publication for people that are doing good in Eugene and Springfield. So telling stories about labor struggles, reproductive rights, Black Lives Matter, across the board. Yeah, following those, and how people can get involved.

[00:00:37] I did work for a media publication as an editor before, and I did a Media Studies minor in college, and I felt like I’ve been in the organizing scene and yeah, I had experience in media, and it felt right to put those two together, use my skills and do something helpful.

[00:01:00] It started out as just a newsletter which I’ve still got—three years now, I think, this spring—and now it’s a full website and published on social media and stuff.

[00:01:16] A lot of stories—I believe I was first one to cover the local Starbucks unionization here. And yeah, there’s other ones where it’s like, it just doesn’t get the light of day in other big news publications.

[00:01:33] DJ Suss D: Under-reported news.

[00:01:34] Matthew: Yeah, for sure.

[00:01:36] DJ Suss D: Okay, so let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Why do we need alternative media?

[00:01:41] Matthew: Yeah. I think a lot of it it’s covering it from just one angle. Here’s what politicians are wanting out of next budget. But I kind of want to see the other side, like what do the, what do the people want? And not just what’s happening in like the chambers of Congress or the State House, but what’s happening on the streets.

[00:02:07] DJ Suss D: All right. You’re going to be out on the streets, on the scene, you’re going to be the man on the street (Yeah.) at these things so people will actually know what happened. So what’s next for Solidarity News?

[00:02:17] Matthew: Yeah, I’ll keep an eye on the organizations and people that are organizing. I’m going to keep putting out the newsletter and I think there’s definitely lots of labor news I’m keeping up with, and some environmental organizing that’s happening that’s pretty important.

[00:02:40] DJ Suss D: All right, Matthew from Solidarity News. Thanks very much for coming in. Keep up the good work.

[00:02:45] Matthew: Thanks.

[00:02:46] John Q: Support local grassroots journalism at SolidarityNews.org.

[00:02:50] DJ Suss D: For KEPW News, I’m DJ Suss D.