The journalists at newspaper The Alaskan use empathy and compassion to find and write their stories. They also use courage, communication skills, integrity, perseverance, and teamwork to research and investigate leads. Their work helps make Alaska a better place.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Eileen is a journalist whose principles are so hardened that she becomes a little lacking in humility. But her principles lead her to finding the truth behind her stories. Eileen gets a crash course in teamwork, compassion, empathy, and open-mindedness from Rosalind, her partner on a special assignment -- covering the numerous missing Indigenous women whose cases go unreported.
Diverse Representations
a lot
The series is important as a primetime TV show that tackles the ongoing issues regarding missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW). Main cast is racially diverse and written with nuance, sensitivity. Some viewers might feel like Eileen could be read as a "White savior" since she is covering the MMIW issue. But that's tempered through her pairing with Indigenous Alaskan Rosalind, who shares her lived experiences and constantly challenges Eileen's admittedly White-centered worldview.
Parents need to know that Alaska Daily is a drama series about a disgraced journalist who gets a fresh start in Alaska and breaks an important story about missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW). The series is noteworthy for tackling the ongoing issue of MMIW; including it in a primetime drama is an example of how entertainment can foster education, empathy, and compassion. The series also has a refreshing focus on investigative journalism and how it serves the wider community. Alaska Daily does feature sexual situations, alcohol use, and slightly iffy language.
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What's the Story?
ALASKA DAILY follows Eileen Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), an investigative journalist who was at the top of her game in New York City before she endured a scandal. Now disgraced and out of a job, she's been offered a position by her old mentor at his newspaper, The Alaskan. Once she takes on the role, she's given possibly the story of a lifetime: uncovering the pattern behind the growing number of missing and murdered Indigenous women in Alaska.
This is a powerful drama that both upholds the tenets of investigative journalism and puts the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) on its largest platform yet. Sensitively written and acted, Alaska Daily showcases stellar performances from Swank, Grace Dove, and Jeff Perry. Dove plays Rosalind Friendly, the jaded but determined native Alaskan journalist partnered with Eileen (Swank) on the story about MMIW, and Perry plays Stanley Cornick, the epitome of the patient constancy we expect from the editor in chief of a newspaper.
Viewers who've worked in newsrooms may find that Alaska Daily brings back fond memories of working a beat. The series could encourage viewers not only to believe in journalism again, but could inspire some to choose it as a career. Stories like MMIW need to be told on a national scale, which can't happen without journalists. And the movement to find these victims can't grow if empathy and compassion are in short supply; shows like Alaska Daily can expose viewers to this issue and compel them to feel, which could translate into action.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of journalism. Why is journalism needed to help keep communities safe?
How does the journalism shown in Alaska Daily safeguard democracy and people's rights?
What does the series teach about missing and murdered Indigenous women?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
