The Tow Foundation

A thought provoking piece in Columbia Journalism Review asks if “objectivity” is still the gold standard in journalism. The authors argue that the traditional pursuit of objectivity can sometimes distort truth, elevate false equivalence, and mask power imbalances. As society grapples with polarization and mistrust in the media, reporting “both sides” is no longer enough. This is where Solutions Journalism offers a powerful new approach. As advocated by the Solutions Journalism Network and others, Solutions Journalism calls for rigorous, evidence-based reporting that investigates responses to social problems. Solutions Journalism embraces transparency, nuance, and accountability. It is truth-seeking with context, fairness, and a focus on what’s working. As journalists, funders, and media leaders reconsider what builds trust and impact, Solutions Journalism stands out as a practice that honors facts while empowering communities. #SolutionsJournalism #MediaTrust #JournalismEthics #StorytellingThatMatters #CivicEngagement #FutureOfNews

Watching Teatro Círculo heartfelt “Thank You” to audiences in Alcalá de Henares, Spain is a beautiful reminder of the power of cultural exchange. Art has no borders, only connections. Arts presenters like Teatro Círculo bring people together across languages and cultures. Their work embodies our belief that the arts are a vital tool for fostering empathy, unity, resilience. and a more interconnected world. https://lnkd.in/efz5wp_i #TheaterWithoutBorders #EmpathyThroughArt

The Council on Criminal Justice and RAND will lead a National Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in Criminal Justice. This 15-member expert panel will develop consensus principles and practical standards for integrating AI across law enforcement, courts, corrections, and community sectors to promote oversight and guard against systemic bias and surveillance harms. The task force’s inclusive composition, which includes civil rights advocates, formerly incarcerated individuals, community leaders, criminal justice professionals, and AI researchers, underlines its commitment to equity, fairness, and lived experience. The group will work for the next 18 months to translate foundational principles into operational standards and accessible research to show how AI can be aligned with justice, humanity, and transparency. With AI tools becoming a part of the criminal justice system, efforts like this one to increase public awareness and pursue ethical innovation will be crucial.  #AIJustice #EthicalAI #JusticeInnovation #HumaneTech #CommunityCentered

We are proud to celebrate the remarkable legacy of Dean Linda Fried, whose 17 years of leadership at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health have transformed the field. As she steps down from her role, her contributions will live on through three impactful initiatives: - the school’s first-ever endowed scholarship fund - an endowed chair in her name - a research response fund to support faculty in an evolving funding environment These efforts not only honor her leadership but also ensure continued momentum in advancing public health. We are honored to support the endowed chair recognizing Dean Fried’s vision, which reflects our belief that science must connect to real-world application and that health equity cannot be achieved without also addressing social determinants like economic justice, community safety, and education. We are committed to supporting research and initiatives that build a more resilient and equitable public health infrastructure. We look forward to seeing Dean Fried’s legacy continue to inspire innovation and inclusive leadership in the field for years to come. #PublicHealthLeadership #MedicalInnovation #PublicHealthResearch #EducationAndHealth

Measures for Justice is helping communities hold justice systems accountable through transparent data. Rooted in a commitment to dismantling structural barriers tied to race, gender, and socioeconomic status, Measures for Justice works with leaders, public agencies, and communities to create tools that support prevention, humane treatment, reentry, and public awareness. Recently, Measures for Justice partnered with the Rochester Police Department and a local Community Advisory Board to launch RPD Commons—a first-of-its-kind public dashboard that shares data on crime trends, use of force, response times, and officer wellness. It’s a blueprint for how long-term, systemic change is possible when leadership meets open, accessible information. #JusticeReform #JusticeData #Accountability #SystemsChange #OpenData

We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Diana Oh—a boundary-breaking playwright, performance artist, and community builder. Diana, also known as Zara, was the 2017-2018 Tow Playwright-in-Residence at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, which culminated in the performance of Diana’s {my lingerie play}, which the New York Times called “a glitter bomb of feminist and queer protest that feels just right for this cultural moment." As a funder privileged to support Diana’s creative journey, we witnessed firsthand the transformative power of their art. Diana’s plays are experiences that made space for joy, radical empathy, unapologetic identity, and collective healing. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Diana’s family, loved ones, and the countless collaborators and communities they touched.

Shifting the public narrative is foundational to building a more just and equitable society. Alec Karakatsanis, founder of Civil Rights Corps and author of the new book Copaganda, knows this better than most. He is challenging how media narratives shape our collective understanding of safety, justice, and accountability. Karakatsanis powerfully argues that many so-called “crime waves” are, in fact, narrative waves—amplified by selective and sensationalist reporting. These stories often stoke fear, erode empathy, and legitimize punitive policies that disproportionately harm marginalized communities. Uncritical reproduction of police narratives in media masks systemic failures and silences transformative alternatives. For Karakatsanis, reform is not just a matter of different policies; we also need different stories. This means investing in journalists and media platforms committed to nuance and structural context, artists and organizers who reclaim narrative power, and legal and community advocates who expose the human cost of fear-based storytelling. #MediaJustice #NarrativeChange #PublicSafety #CriminalJusticeReform #Philanthropy

Congratulations to the inaugural cohort of Brooklyn College undergraduates who participated in ICAP at Columbia University as part of the Tow International Public Health Internship! Students participated in a week-long intensive public health bootcamp including training on public health basics, global health research, and travel safety. Now they are off to complete their international internships in Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Zambia. Programs like this one, foster intersections with equity, education, and access to public health to improve health outcomes and build public health infrastructure.

Congratulations to Jala Everett, MS, selected as the 2025–2026 Tow Journalism Fellow at FRONTLINE PBS. Jala is the eleventh fellow in this powerful collaboration between FRONTLINE and Columbia University - Graduate School of Journalism supporting emerging investigative journalism. This year-long fellowship offers an immersive experience with FRONTLINE’s award-winning team covering everything from investigative reporting to documentary production journalism. Jala will have access to hands-on mentorship with FRONTLINE producers and full exposure to the investigative and storytelling processes. #Journalism #InvestigativeReporting #FRONTLINE #ColumbiaJournalism #Storytelling #Fellowship

Looking back on 50 years as Bard College president, Leon Botstein’s transformative leadership has reshaped the institution and reimagined the boundaries of higher education. Among his most impactful initiatives is the Bard Prison Initiative (BPI), which began as a student-led project in 1999 and has since evolved into a nationally recognized model for providing college education within the prison system. BPI operates in seven correctional facilities across New York State, enrolling over 400 incarcerated students in rigorous, full-time programs that culminate in Bard College degrees. The program's success is evident not only in the academic achievements of its students but also in its broader societal impact, including a significant reduction in recidivism rates among its alumni. By bringing rigorous academic programs into correctional facilities, BPI exemplifies how education can serve as a powerful catalyst for personal transformation and societal change. Thank you and congratulations to President Botstein on 50 years of leadership. #PrisonEducation #BardPrisonInitiative #HigherEd #LeonBotstein #AccessToEducation