Evaluate media credibility
resist misinformation
strengthen public accountabilty
fight authoritarianism
Like political systems, media is on a constantly fluctuating spectrum of democratic versus authoritarian.
A basic ploy of authoritarian governments is to gain control of media.
How might legacy media institutions struggle from pressure during more authoritarian periods?
How can citizens choose media responsibly?
Legacy Vs. Independent Media
Both legacy and independnet media can lean right or left
Legacy media refers to traditional news organizations such as newspapers, broadcast television, radio, and print magazines that developed before digital media.
During an authoritarian takeover, legacy media (traditional newspapers, TV networks, and radio) often face structural weaknesses that can unintentionally or intentionally help authoritarian movements gain power.
Legacy media often treats political conflicts as having two equally legitimate sides. When one side is attacking democratic norms, this framing can normalize extremism and obscure the seriousness of anti-democratic actions.
Authoritarian rhetoric, corruption, or rule-breaking may be reported as routine political conflict rather than as threats to democratic institutions. Major outlets rely on access to powerful officials for interviews and information. This can discourage aggressive reporting that might jeopardize that access.
Corporate ownership and profit pressures cause large media companies to avoid confrontations that could threaten advertising revenue, regulatory relationships, or business interests. Note corporate takeover of CBS Paramount including CNN. ABC and NBC are also influenced by corporate ownership. FOX, NEWSMAX and ONN are blatantly right wing.
Independent media refers to news organizations that operate free from direct control or influence by governments, political parties, corporations, or other powerful interests, allowing them to report and investigate without corporate or government interference.
Independent Investigative Media
Liberal
Leaning
The best resource for election information until the midterms. Marc Elias is a democracy lawyer, and the premier expert on election subversion.
​​Daily independent global news broadcast funded largely by donations and public media partnerships. Videos of podcasts are available for free on YouTube.​​
Is one of the most viewed, excellent independent progressive political hosts on YouTube. Subscribe for daily breaking news clips followed by in-depth commentary. Videos of podcasts are available for free on YouTube
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​​​​​Progressive pro-democracy outlet with millions of viewers. It includes legal commentary called Legal AF. Videos of podcasts are available for free on YouTube.
​Home to Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, Bill Kristol, JVL, Sam Stein, and more. The staff is largely never-Trump former conservative journalists and political commentators. Their commentary is available on Substack and videos are free on YouTube.​​
Is no-b******t conversation about politics hosted by former Obama aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, Tommy Vietor, Ben Rhodes. Alex Wagner recently joined them. Videos of podcasts are available for free on YouTube.
Independent news and commentary platform founded in 2024 by journalist Mehdi Hasan. Videos of podcasts are available for free on YouTube.