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MVJ’s Counter-Disinformation Program Welcomes Two New Military Times Hires

By May 12, 2023Resources

Military Veterans in Journalism announced today the addition of two new members to its Counter-Disinformation Program team. 

Allison Erickson and Nikki Wentling have joined the program as part of MVJ’s partnership with Military Times. Erickson, an Army veteran, serves as the program’s investigative reporter, while Wentling serves as a disinformation and extremism reporter. Both work directly for Military Times.

MVJ’s nonpartisan Counter-Disinformation Program combats the spread of disinformation within military and veteran communities. Military Times will maintain editorial independence while receiving financial support from this program for the hiring of the two reporters. The program is funded by the Knight Foundation, MacArthur Foundation and Craig Newmark Philanthropies.  

“We are thrilled to have Allison and Nikki join us for this project,” said Zack Baddorf, MVJ’s executive director. “Their extensive experience and expertise in reporting on issues that impact the military community will help us achieve our mission to combat disinformation and provide accurate information to the public.”

Erickson, a former Medical Service Corps officer in the U.S. Army, brings a unique perspective to her role as the project’s investigative reporter. She completed a combat deployment to Afghanistan and earned several medals, including the Purple Heart and Meritorious Service Medal. Her journalism career began before her military service when she studied editorial journalism at Texas Christian University. Erickson has since worked on various freelance assignments in print and digital news and produced podcasts reporting on migration, politics, and health. She previously served as MVJ’s Texas Tribune Military Affairs Reporting Fellow for 2022.

Wentling, a former reporter for Stars and Stripes, has covered issues affecting veterans, service members, and their families at the national and local levels. She reported from Congress, the White House, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as throughout the country. Wentling is also an alumna of the Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship and has been recognized for her reporting on homeless veterans during the coronavirus pandemic.

 

“We are excited to welcome Allison and Nikki to our reporting team,’’ said Mike Gruss, Military Times’ editor in chief. “Their reporting on the important challenges of disinformation and extremism in the military and veteran communities will be invaluable to our readers. We are grateful to partner with MVJ on this important project.”