Zócalo Joins the L.A. Local News Initiative

The Coalition Aims to Revitalize and Rebuild Community Journalism and Media for Angelenos

Zócalo Public Square, a unit of ASU Media Enterprise, joins the L.A. Local News Initiative, which will operate and support local newsrooms in Los Angeles to provide coverage in service of L.A. communities. Other partners include CalMatters, L.A. Taco, L.A. Public Press, LAist, and Witness LA.

The new organization will be governed by a board representing local and national leaders in journalism, philanthropy, and business, including chair Monica Lozano, former editor, publisher and CEO of La Opinión; Kevin Merida, former executive editor of the L.A. Times; Giselle Fernandez, Emmy-award winning anchor …

September 10, 2024

When Victorian Newspapers Put Gender-Bending on Trial

1870s Press Covered an Otherwise Trivial Case as Breathlessly—and Dangerously—as Today’s Trans Stories

by Rory Buccheri | March 4, 2024

In 1870, Ernest Fanny Boulton and Frederick Stella Park were arrested in London. Their crime? Presenting as women outside their theatrical act.

Fanny and Stella had appeared in newspapers before, known …

Why We Hunger for the Holiday Special

Every December, an Age-Old Format Warms the Winter Night

by Jackie Mansky | December 22, 2023

’Tis the season.

The season for television shows to chug too much eggnog, forget their earthly cares for an hour or so, and jump the proverbial yuletide shark.

The result, whether it’s …

Concept Art Association Co-Founder Nicole Hendrix

If Someone Wants to Do Something, I’m Generally Down

December 1, 2023

Nicole Hendrix is a producer, creative director, and the co-founder and executive director of BRIC Foundation, an organization that focuses on increasing representation for women and people from historically excluded …

Anything ChatGPT Can Do, My Students Can Do Better

Why a Media History Professor Is Welcoming AI Into Her Classroom

by Elizabeth Blakey | August 31, 2023

Zócalo is celebrating its 20th birthday this year! As part of the festivities, we’re publishing reflections and responses that revisit and reimagine some of …

Come on Barbie, Let’s Sell Barbies

American Toy Companies, Led by Mattel, Have Entwined Marketing and Entertainment for Over Half a Century

by Jackie Mansky | July 21, 2023

The year was 1997.

“Un-Break My Heart” by Toni Braxton dominated the radio waves. Wallet chains and JNCO jeans were red-carpet staples. And plastic? It was fantastic.

Cool Shoppin’ Barbie wasn’t just …

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