Recommended by The Media and Democracy Project Blog
Stop the Presses is a weekly newsletter by veteran journalist Mark Jacob about how right-wing extremism has exploited the weaknesses in American journalism and what we can do about it.
Margaret Sullivan is an essential pro-democracy media critic, and host of a podcast that explores whether journalism can help save democracy. (Or succumb to bad faith both-sides-ism as the fascists continue their assault.)
On hiatus, but worth a look: Aaron Rupar's "Public Notice is fair, but not impartial. We think democracy and fair elections are good things and, unlike a lot of mainstream coverage, [we are] not shy about saying so — or about holding major outlets accountable when they equivocate."
James Fallows expands on the thesis of his book "Breaking the News: How the Media Undermine American Democracy." Its argument was that the press could, should, and must do a better job in giving readers a realistic and honest view of their world. Otherwise, I argued, the press would suffer in commercial dimensions and other ways, and the public would find it harder and harder to have any realistic picture of the world..."
Because: "Democracy is in decline. Over half of the world's population now lives under some form of illiberal rule. Wherever democracy deteriorates, so does support for transparency and accountability. Disinformation about current events thrives, as do versions of history that cover up authoritarian crimes."
Because: "We are living in a moment of crisis. Democracy and the fate of the future depend on recognizing the overarching problem, the means by which we arrived here, and how we might answer the moment."
Judd Legum: "You are not a spectator and democracy is not a game. But so much of what is written about politics treats you that way. That’s why I created Popular Information. It is daily news and analysis that respects you as a citizen. You won’t just learn about who is up and who is down. You’ll get in-depth information and perspective on the things that really matter."