Izzy Fest 2026!

IZZY FEST 2026: Press Freedom Forum

The Park Center for Independent Media at Ithaca College

with SPJ Region One and Project Censored

DAY ONE

Tuesday, April 21

10:15 to 11:45 AM

Communication and Journalism professors, Allison Butler, Nolan Higdon, and Mickey Huff:

Critical Media Literacy for students, journalists, and anyone who consumes the news; how CML factors into ethical reporting and covering subjects often un- or under-reported. Independent media outlets play an important role filling in the gaps, covering what the corporate media often don't or won't. The panelists are also affiliated with Project Censored.

12 to 1:00 PM

Lunch with Keynote Maximillian Alvarez, Editor-in-Chief, The Real News Network (from Baltimore), Winner of the 17th Annual Izzy Award for his reporting on the train derailment disaster and aftermath in East Palestine, OH.

1:15 to 2:45 PM

Chris Farone and Jason Pramas, co-founders of the Alliance of Nonprofit News Outlets (ANNO) and Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism (BINJ):

The "alternative" and even "independent" journalism label has (d)evolved over the years and is certainly a topic of intense debate, but at the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism we roughly define the former as covering issues that are largely ignored by the remaining outlets of record, like prisons, as well as topics that big publications typically cover neglectfully, from surveillance to underground nightlife. Panelists will discuss what constitutes alternative media, as well as the resources and processes they use to produce engaging and original vanguard reporting—investigative, longform, and otherwise—in an age of countless influencers cosplaying as journalists.

Attendees are encouraged to visit BINJ.news ahead of time and search for our coverage of any issue that interests them, from punk rock to parole.

3:00 to 4:30 PM

Maya Schenwar (Truthout) and Lara Witt (Prism News) of the Movement Media Alliance (MMA), moderated by Norman Stockwell, publisher of The Progressive magazine:

It’s no surprise to movement journalists when billionaires take over establishment outlets, layoff hundreds of workers, and censor stories critical of authoritarian governments. For years, movement media makers have been ringing the alarm on the decades of media consolidation and stenographic reporting that keep publics in the dark. Maya and Lara offer students and journalists a toolkit for change.

7:00 PM

Izzy Fest welcome party with PCIM, SPJ, PC, and MMA!

DAY TWO

Wednesday, April 22

10:00 AM

SPJ, MMA, PCIM, PC coffee and meet up: informal networking for students.

12:00 to 1:15 PM

Lunchtime SPJ Region One Mark of Excellence Awards

1:30 to 2:00 PM

I.F. "Izzy" Stone legacy tour at Ithaca College

7:00 PM

18th Annual Izzy Award Ceremony: recognizing outstanding achievements in independent media from the past year; named after legendary journalist I.F. “Izzy” Stone and presented by the Park Center for Independent Media at Ithaca College.

Travel Details, Hotels, and Other Local Information

Flying-

Syracuse is the closest, larger airport an hour and ten minutes north of Ithaca

Ithaca also has a local, smaller airport for those interested

Hotels-

Marriott Downtown Ithaca (right on the Commons)

SKYLER COOPER | SALES MANAGER

Ithaca Marriott Downtown on the Commons
120 South Aurora Street, Ithaca, New York 14850

T: 607.272.2222

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ithmc-ithaca-marriott-downtown-on-the-commons/overview/

Hilton (Canopy by Hilton)

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ithsspy-canopy-ithaca-downtown/
Four more to consider nearby:

• https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ithiggi-hilton-garden-inn-ithaca/
• https://www.thehotelithaca.com/
• https://www.latourelle.com/
• https://www.argosinn.com/

Also check out other Festivals in Ithaca, Business events in Ithaca, Entertainment events in Ithaca.