Emma Paterson is a Washington, D.C.-based reporter for Cronkite News, specializing in immigration policy, border security, and legislative analysis. A senior at Arizona State University, she combines academic rigor with fieldwork to dissect how national policies affect border communities.
Her work has been recognized by the Walter Cronkite School for its depth and ethical reporting, positioning her as a journalist to watch in political and humanitarian coverage.
Emma Paterson is a senior journalism student at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, currently completing her final semester as a reporter for Cronkite News in Washington, D.C. Her work focuses on borderlands, immigration, and U.S. politics, blending policy analysis with human-centered storytelling. Paterson’s career trajectory reflects a commitment to uncovering systemic challenges in marginalized communities, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Paterson frequently examines how emerging technologies like drone surveillance and biometric screening impact border communities. Pitches should highlight partnerships between local governments and tech firms, emphasizing ethical implications. For example, her unpublished 2024 piece on AI-driven patrols in Nogales, Arizona, revealed disparities in accountability.
She prioritizes stories about how federal policies manifest in rural areas. A successful pitch might explore healthcare access for migrants in Arizona’s Pima County or the role of NGOs in providing legal aid. Avoid generic national overviews.
In 2024, Paterson received the Cronkite School’s Excellence in Political Reporting award for her investigation into Title 42’s expiration. The judges noted her “nuanced portrayal of asylum seekers’ legal limbo.” While early in her career, this recognition signals her growing influence in immigration journalism.
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