Prakruti Bhatt
Digital video producer/reporter
Oregon Public Broadcasting
Age: 27
In three words: Creative, determined, energetic
What colleagues say: Prakruti (“Praks”) has been a forward-thinking video creator, pushing our entire organization to embrace modern digital video platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. She is leading the way for our younger editorial staff to create content that is most likely to resonate with the next generation of public media audiences and supporters. She has also been at the center of revitalizing our live music presence in the Pacific Northwest, producing a series of creative, aesthetically innovative live session videos featuring up-and-coming acts from the region.
What Prakruti says
Decision to work in public media: Public media’s values deeply align with the values I personally hold, which include serving audiences with critical information and stories that are diverse, inclusive and freely accessible. There’s also something special and fulfilling about being a part of an organization/network that prioritizes approaching our communities with empathy.
Key accomplishments: Back in September 2024, my colleague and I pursued “Stop Requested,” a multipart series about the vital role public transportation plays in Oregon. It took us over 14 days and more than 30 buses to get to some of Oregon’s most remote towns. This project included extensive on-the-ground reporting and allowed us to experiment with different media such as social video, radio and web.
The Pacific Northwest is known for is its rich independent music scene. On that tangent, it was thrilling to re-establish OPB’s music vertical early last year.
Inspired by: Lately, I’ve been really enjoying picking a random neighborhood in town and taking long walks. I tend to oscillate between quietly observing the area and striking up a conversation with folks in the neighborhood. When I’m not walking around town, I like to immerse myself in different forms of art and storytelling, be it music, films or even video games.
Advice for young public media professionals: 1) Lead with empathy. You’ll always have deadlines; you’ll always have the next big story to chase. 2) Experiment with different formats and media. Don’t be afraid to be creative when it comes to thinking of better ways to engage with your audience.
Advice for public media leaders: In this ever-evolving media landscape, don’t be afraid to explore the new “in” thing or medium. The ways our audiences consume information are always going to change over time, and we must make a conscious effort to meet them there.
