Northwestern hosts ‘Bad Press’ documentary screening, Q&A about the fight for press freedom in Muscogee Nation – The Daily Northwestern

Report on the “Bad Press” Documentary Screening at Northwestern University

Event Summary

Northwestern University hosted a screening of the documentary “Bad Press,” followed by a question-and-answer session. The event, co-sponsored by the Center for Native American and Indigenous Research and the Medill School of Journalism, featured the film’s co-director, Rebecca Landsberry-Baker, and its primary subject, journalist Angel Ellis. The documentary chronicles the successful struggle to reinstate press freedom within the Muscogee Nation.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The event and the documentary’s subject matter directly address the core tenets of SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Upholding Fundamental Freedoms (Target 16.10)

The narrative of “Bad Press” is a case study in the effort to ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms.

• The Muscogee Nation was one of only five out of 574 federally recognized tribes with a free press law until its National Council repealed it in November 2018.
• Journalist Angel Ellis led a campaign to pass a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a free press.
• This campaign successfully concluded in September 2021, restoring a critical democratic institution.
• The fight is ongoing, as the majority of tribal nations still lack free press protections, and existing laws are often under threat.

Promoting Accountable and Transparent Institutions (Target 16.6)

The documentary highlights the essential role of a free press in holding governing bodies accountable and fostering transparency.

• The repeal of the free press law was a direct challenge to institutional accountability within the Muscogee Nation.
• Following the amendment’s passage, Angel Ellis, now Director of Mvskoke Media, has continued efforts to strengthen institutional integrity.
• Current initiatives include diversifying the media budget to ensure independence and advocating for the adoption of a Freedom of Information Act for the Muscogee Nation.

Intersection with Additional Sustainable Development Goals

The themes explored in the documentary resonate with other key SDGs, particularly those concerning equality and education.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The struggle for press freedom within an Indigenous nation is intrinsically linked to reducing political and social inequalities.

• By securing access to independent information, the Muscogee Nation’s citizens are better equipped to participate in their governance, reducing inequalities in political power.
• The documentary exposes the vulnerability of Indigenous communities to internal political pressures that can stifle dissent and accountability.
• Angel Ellis expressed hope that their work can serve as a foundational model for other tribal communities seeking to establish similar protections.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The story provides a powerful example of women’s leadership in public and political life.

• The central figure driving the movement for institutional reform is a female journalist, Angel Ellis.
• Her perseverance in the face of political opposition demonstrates the critical role of women as agents of change in strengthening democratic institutions.

Educational Impact and Contribution to SDG 4: Quality Education

The university-sponsored screening served as an important educational tool, aligning with Target 4.7, which emphasizes education for sustainable development, human rights, and global citizenship.

1. The event raised awareness among students and faculty about the challenges to press freedom, particularly within Indigenous communities.
2. The Q&A session provided direct insights into the complexities of journalism, Indigenous sovereignty, and civic activism.
3. As noted by event organizer Michaela Marchi, the screening illuminated how concerns within Indigenous communities are relevant to broader national and global challenges to democratic freedoms, fostering a greater appreciation for universal human rights.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This is the most central SDG to the article. The entire narrative revolves around the fight for press freedom, the establishment of accountable and transparent governance within the Muscogee Nation, and the protection of fundamental freedoms. The article details the repeal of a free press law and the subsequent campaign to pass a constitutional amendment, which are core elements of building strong institutions.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The article focuses on the struggles and successes within an Indigenous community, the Muscogee Nation. The fight for a free press is framed as a fight for the rights and political inclusion of a specific, often marginalized, group. By establishing their own robust governance and media laws, the Muscogee Nation is working to ensure their political inclusion and empower their community, directly aligning with the goal of reducing inequalities.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.
   • Explanation: The article is a case study of this target in action. The journalist Angel Ellis’s “fight to reinstate free and independent press in the Muscogee Nation” is a direct effort to protect fundamental freedoms. Her advocacy to “adopt the Freedom of Information Act for Muscogee Nation” is a clear initiative to ensure public access to information. The successful passage of the “constitutional amendment for free press” is the establishment of a legal guarantee for these rights.
2. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • Explanation: The process described in the article, where Ellis “championed a constitutional amendment for free press, which successfully passed,” exemplifies participatory decision-making. The community was involved in a process to change its own constitution to create a more responsive and representative government that is accountable to its citizens through a free press.
3. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… ethnicity, origin… or other status.
   • Explanation: The article highlights the efforts of an Indigenous nation to strengthen its own sovereignty and governance. The struggle for a free press within the Muscogee Nation is an act of political empowerment and inclusion. As Angel Ellis notes, she hopes her work “can act as a foundation for other communities to build off of,” indicating a broader movement toward the political empowerment of Indigenous peoples.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 16.10 (Existence of legal guarantees for press freedom): The article provides a direct measure of progress by tracking the status of legal frameworks. It states that the Muscogee Nation’s National Council “repealed” its free press law in 2018, representing a negative indicator. The subsequent success in passing a “constitutional amendment for free press” in 2021 is a clear, positive indicator of progress. Angel Ellis’s ongoing work to “adopt the Freedom of Information Act” is another potential indicator of future progress.
• Indicator for Target 16.10 (Proportion of communities with free press laws): The article provides quantifiable data that serves as an indicator. It mentions, “Out of 574 federally recognized tribes, the Muscogee Nation was one of five with a free press law until November 2018.” It later adds that “more tribes now have adopted free press laws, but the vast majority still do not have free press.” This count of tribes with and without such laws is a direct indicator for measuring the protection of fundamental freedoms across Indigenous nations.
• Indicator for Target 16.7 (Participatory decision-making): The successful passage of the constitutional amendment serves as an indicator of a participatory process. The campaign to get this amendment on the ballot and approved by the community demonstrates that decision-making processes are in place that allow for citizen participation and influence on governance.

4. Table of Identified SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dailynorthwestern.com