The American Humanist Association (AHA) recognised journalist, investigative reporter, and author Amy Goodman as their 2024 Humanist of the Year. Goodman is the co-founder and main host of Democracy Now!, a progressive global news programme that is free of corporate influence. Her award-winning investigative journalism work spans Chevron Corporation’s role in Nigeria, Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara, and more.
Shortly after graduating from Harvard in 1984, Goodman helped launch Democracy Now! and it has grown to become one of the leading US-based independent daily news broadcasts. As a producer and host, Goodman interviews people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues, allowing a range of people to speak for themselves in ways that would normally not reach the mainstream media. Goodman and her colleagues often focus on issues they consider under-reported or ignored by mainstream news coverage, such as racial injustice and peace activism.
“As we stand with journalists around the world who deeply believe that the mission of a journalist is to go to where the silence is, that the responsibility of a journalist is to give a voice to those who have been forgotten, forsaken, beaten down by the powerful – it’s the best reason I know for us to pick up our pens, our microphones and our cameras both into our own communities and out to the wider world. The media can be, must be, a major force for peace.” Amy Goodman, Right to Livelihood Acceptance Speech
Goodman has won many honours throughout her career for her work with Democracy Now! and for her investigative journalism work, undergoing considerable risk to bring underreported stories to the forefront. Her reporting on East Timor and Nigeria has won numerous awards, including the Right Livelihood Award, widely known as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’.
As an advocate for factual reporting that builds bridges between communities, Goodman sticks to facts and holds politicians and corporations accountable. Her commitment to grassroots political journalism is not just inspiring—it’s essential for the preservation of democracy and human rights.
In a time when disinformation spreads rapidly and journalists face increasing threats and backlash, uplifting fearless reporting has never been more important.
The AHA was honoured to have Amy Goodman wrap up their 83rd Annual Conference on the evening of September 15th. The conference was held virtually on September 14-15th.
Source
This is an abridged version of an article in The Humanist by Meredith Thompson, Development Manager at the American Humanist Association.
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