In Megan E. Freeman’s Away, the press becomes a powerful weapon against systemic deception, wielded not by established media but by a small group of displaced children. The novel argues that in an environment saturated with official disinformation—deliberate falsehoods intended to deceive and manipulate the public—the act of independent investigation and public truth-telling is a potent form of resistance. Through the journalistic endeavors of Harmony Addams-Paul and the documentary filmmaking of Teddy Brenkert, the narrative portrays citizen journalism as an essential means of holding power accountable. Their work evolves from a simple desire to record events into a sophisticated operation to dismantle a government conspiracy, proving that verifiable evidence is the most effective antidote to carefully constructed lies.

The foundation for this resistance is laid early through Harmony’s deep admiration for historical muckrakers, which frames her efforts as a serious, morally driven pursuit rather than a childhood hobby. She is inspired by figures like Nellie Bly and Ida B. Wells, journalists who used their work to make the world a better place. This ambition gives her a framework and a purpose long before she understands the scale of the corruption she will face.