Documentary Sheds Light on Local Newspaper Covering Uvalde Tragedy with ‘Print It Black’

ABC News is set to premeire the award-winning documentary “Print It Black” tonight (May 24). This compelling feature focuses on the Uvalde Leader-News‘ coverage of the Robb Elementary School mass shooting that occurred on May 24, 2022.

The documentary spotlights the aftermath of the tragic event, where 19 children and two teachers lost their lives. Among the victims was 10-year-old Alexandria “Lexi” Rubio, the daughter of Kimberly Rubio, a former journalist at the Uvalde Leader-News.

“Print It Black” chronicles Kimberly Rubio’s rise to national prominence as a gun safety reform advocate following her daughter’s death. The documentary provides an intimate look at Rubio’s journey, her fight for accountability from law enforcement agents who waited 77 minutes before confronting the gunman, and the resulting community division.

“We’re honored that Kim Rubio and the staff of the Uvalde Leader-News allowed our team into their worlds in a period of staggering grief,” said Cindy Galli, executive producer of ABC News’ Investigative Unit. “This documentary is the embodiment of our initiative to remain in Uvalde and share with the world how it grieved, struggled, rose up and inspired. No community should ever be defined by a tragedy that befalls it.”

The documentary also highlights the critical role of local newsrooms in covering such events. Craig Garnett, the owner and publisher of the Uvalde Leader-News, emphasized the importance of local journalism, stating, “My only hope for this paper is that it continues because I just don’t see how a community functions without somebody holding up a mirror.”

“Since the tragedy unfolded, we have been proud to amplify the Uvalde 365 project on our streaming channel, and when we were approached about the possibility of a film, we were thrilled to help bring it to life,” said Seni Tienabeso, executive director of ABC News Live. “With this film, we wanted to shine a light on the crucial role of local journalism in documenting communities long after the national headlines fade.”

“Print It Black” had its world premiere at the Dallas International Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature. The documentary will premiere on ABC News Live tonight at 8pm ET and will be available to stream on Hulu.

This documentary serves as a stark reminder of the power of local journalism and the resilience of communities in the face of tragedy. It is a tribute to the victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting and a testament to the enduring spirit of Uvalde’s community.

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