Abby Martin (USA)

➡️ Abby Martin – Unfiltered, Independent Journalist and Activist

Journalist, presenter, and advocate Martin has gained recognition for her dedication to grassroots reporting, transparency, critical analysis of global affairs and raising the profile of underreported news.

Following the 9/11 attacks, increasing nationalism and the start of the Iraq War fuelled her scepticism of mainstream media narratives and U.S. foreign policy. Her desire to seek truth and provide alternative perspectives drove her to create media that challenges the status quo.

Between 2012 and 2015, as the host of "Breaking the Set" on the Russian state-funded network RT America, Martin gained attention for her condemnation of the Russian annexation of Crimea. Shortly after, she launched the Empire Files, an investigative documentary and interview show on Telesur focused on war and inequality. The show was moved exclusively online after U.S. sanctions against Venezuela blocked funding. Martin co-produces the show with her spouse Mike Prysner, who is an anti-war, pro-Palestine U.S. war veteran.

Martin is also one of the founders of citizen journalism website and podcast "Media Roots". Alongside her brother Robbie Martin, they critically examine U.S. foreign policy, political partisanship, and how to stand up against the mainstream narrative.

As an outspoken advocate for press freedom, media transparency, and the truth, Martin serves on the board of directors for the Media Freedom Foundation who manage Project Censored. This nonprofit media watchdog organisation has made it their mission to promote media literacy, independent journalism, and democracy through public education. As a presenter, Martin helps to expose and oppose news censorship and promote critical thinking.

In 2019, she directed the documentary "The Empire Files: Gaza Fights for Freedom", a powerful account of oppression in Gaza. Martin appeared in the documentary "Project Censored The Movie: Ending the Reign of Junk Food News" and co-directed "99%: The Occupy Wall Street Collaborative Film".

In the last decade, she has gained a significant following and creditability among viewers seeking alternative news, earning her both praise and controversy. She has played a crucial role in highlighting the impact of U.S. military interventions and imperialism, global hegemony, the role of corporate interest in foreign policy, the atrocities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the environmental consequences of war, and promoting pro-peace narratives.

"Words hold tremendous power, and if we don't reclaim our language and start seeing people instead of 'militants,' drone victims instead of 'bug splats,' or natural splendour instead of 'green infrastructure,' then the voiceless are destined to be silenced forever" - Abby Martin
 

Author: Rachael Mellor, 21.01.25 licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0

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