Lori Dorfman

Background image of a cameraperson capturing an interview between two women. Text overlay reads: "New research: One statistic that should change how journalists cover domestic violence. Learn more: bmsg.org."

Only 1 in 5 Calif. news stories about domestic violence include a survivor voice. That gap matters for how the public understands the problem — and solutions.

Lead researcher Pamela Mejia discusses our latest analysis and ways to improve coverage. www.bmsg.org/one-statisti...

ICE Rams Vehicle and Hospitalizes the Same U.S. Citizen Again in Ventura County ~ L.A. TACO "I expect this kind of lawlessness from ICE, I don’t expect the hospitals to be complicit in that lawlessness and detain people," says Thomas Harvey, one of Leonardo Martinez's lawyers, after the hosp...

What a shocking story, great local news coverage, and inspiring work all around. This is what it looks like when people (and lawyers) fight back for a more just society. lataco.com/ice-rams-veh...

A worker on a tractor preparing a field for planting

"Julio" works in Salinas, CA as a tractor driver. "I'm preparing the land to plant vegetables for this new season. I. Work from sun up to sun down. I'm proud that thanks to me and my coworkers families across the states have fresh vegetables on their tables." #WeFeedYou

Pete Hegseth Blew Billions on Fruit Basket Stands, Chairs, and Crab The Defense Department went on a $93 billion spending spree in 2025.

Stop taking food out of the mouth of hungry families. $7.4 million in just 4 months for lobster tail? $139,224 on 272 orders of doughnuts? Even if they got Baker's dozens, that's nearly $40 per donut.

It makes me sick to my stomach.

Farm workers under a UFW contract a Gallo vineyards are starting their work day with "la escuelita" where a lead worker demonstrates exactly how the company wants the pruning done. #WeFeedYou

"Raul" is pruning grape vines in Madera. "The work's physically exhausting. I earn 31 cents per plant and must keep a steady pace throughout the day to make enough. The repetitive cutting and bending causes my arms & hands to cramp as I do this work for hours on end." #WeFeedYou

Amid rising attacks on racial justice, many communicators are struggling with what to say and how to say it. A new tool from BMSG and Narrative Initiative offers guidance for navigating uncertainty and making more confident narrative choices. Explore the tool: www.bmsg.org/narrative-wo...

Trump's State of the Union is the ideal time for journalists to stop the normalizing | Press Watch Millions will watch Trump lying and bloviating. Why not validate what they see, rather than treat it like it was something normal?

Not watching tonight. I won't take any version of, "Fred, what does he have to do to win the speech?" which is all they have on offer.

Read @froomkin.bsky.social for what they could do instead, but won't.

presswatchers.org/2026/02/trum...

I'm old enough to remember when polio ripped through the globe and put my friends into iron lungs.

We dutifully lined up at school to get vaccinated. We eradicated the disease. We protected the common good and saved lives.

RFK Jr. is a disgrace.

Some bullet points that I post from time to time. My answer to a reader who asked me: what could our journalists do NOW to break with some of their more corrosive habits.

“I reject the lie that deporting my neighbor is how I win better pay and working conditions. We’re fighting for a country where families stay together without living in terror, so we’re ALL better off!”

"Julio" is tying up the vines of grapevines that have just been pruned. The sky is cloudy and it looks like it's going to rain at any minute. He's concerned because once the rain starts, workers are sent home and they don't earn wages for the rest of the day. #WeFeedYou

A worker harvesting strawberries in muddy ground

Chocolate covered strawberries are a great #ValentinesDay treat. Let's give a cheer for workers like "Eva" who was laboring in Ventura County CA. She had to trudging through slippery muddy rows to bring this sweet fruit to our table. #WeFeedYou

A brick red background with the following words and a ufw eagle on the bottom. Tell your Washington legislator to vote "Yes" on SB 6045 "If Washington state farm workers were to win organizing rights we would be able to organize and be protected from unfair firings. We can organize and have seniority protections. A labor law in Washington would help farm workers like me who have worked in the fields for over 40 years to feed people around this country have a dignified retirement." "Carlos", Windmill mushroom worker fired after asking for a sick day.

SB6045, a bill to allow farm worker collective bargaining in WA state, will soon be voted on in WAs Senate. This bill is critical for WA farm workers like those at Windmill mushroom who have been fighting to get a contract since 2022. Take action today: act.seiu.org/a/waorganizi...

Every strawberry tells a love story. Not the kind sold in candy, but a story rooted in sacrifice. Farmworkers harvest with care, yet they face low wages and fear. Love means respect. Love means justice. Love means standing with farmworkers.
#ValentinesDay #WeFeedYou

Health star rating to become mandatory on all packaged food in Australia Food and health ministers vote to mandate the ratings system after years of urging from peak health bodies

Goliath packaged food industry loses 12y battle to keep farce of voluntary star labelling with big win to public health Davids like @georgeinstitute.bsky.social @alikjones.bsky.social Jane Martin. Kudos! www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

It's appropriate on #BlackHistoryMonth we uplift Kevin's voice. He's been a Jamaican H2A worker for the last 10 yrs & is excited over the implementation of his UFW contract at NYs Wafler Farms. He's looking forward to getting the benefits his contract provides. #UnionsForAll

In the historically anti-union South, the UAW just secured a landmark contract with Volkswagen.

The workers won major wage increases, job security against outsourcing, and higher-quality healthcare.

Congratulations to these workers, and remember: there is always hope in labor.

"Karla" has worked under a UFW contract for 20 years at a vineyard in Soledad, CA. During peak season she is a tractor operator. However currently, she's pruning the grapevines. "Thanks to my seniority I am able to start working as soon as the season begins." #WeFeedYou

So as taxpayers we are subsidizing Walmart executives. I’m happy to pay taxes for SNAP and Medicaid but Walmart needs to do its fair share. Pay your labor force a living wage, Walmart. It’s not my job to pay your workers.

Farm workers planting strawberries

"Iliana" has been working in the strawberry fields in Watsonville, CA for the last 16 years. "She and her coworkers are currently planting strawberries. "I get very tired because I have to bend over all day long to do this type of work. But it feeds my family." #WeFeedYou

Distinctions from @jayrosen.bsky.social — long post, worth it. @media-studies.bsky.social @pamelamejia.bsky.social @katherineschaff.bsky.social check out his distinction between journalism and media.

I was at the top of the B. A joyful protest with ~3,000 of my closest friends.

One year after the Bakersfield raids of January 2025. Kern County is no stranger to struggle. Just like the Delano Grape Strike of the 1960s, our communities will not give up. Together we will continue the fight for justice and dignity. #WeFeedYou #ICEOut

Farm worker in a tractor

"Juan" is preparing Merced CA sweet potato fields for the start of the season. He gets paid hourly to make hotbeds so the new harvest can start. He wakes up early in the morning and drives to work in dense fog. #WeFeedYou

"Saul" has been pruning in the grape vineyards for 25+ years during this time of year. "It is good honest work. It's very cold in the mornings, so we dress warmly. When we get home, our hands ache from the repetitive work." #WeFeedYou

Youngster!

As ICE terrorizes our communities, farmworkers are still feeding this country — every single day.

#WeFeedYou

Study shows NRA is wrong about Aussie gun laws John Howard’s historic leadership in implementing gun law reform is likely to have averted some 16 mass shootings in this country.

Our 1996 gun law reforms worked spectacularly well, averting 16 massacres that would have occurred should the pre 1996 trend have continued. This 2018 piece summarises our research. www.smh.com.au/national/stu... L

Two cooored pencils in front of a vintage Prismacolor colored pencil set.

Close up of the names of two colored pencils, Flesh and Light Flesh.

A good day to be reminded of how #racism permeates everyday living. #mlk

This vintage Prismacolor set is from the mid-1980s. They’ve since changed the name of the color from Flesh to Peach.