Democracy will not survive without strong independent media

Not long ago, independent media felt like a luxury. Legacy outlets covered all the basics: politics, news, even sports. Specialized news subscriptions that provided in-depth information, opinion and analysis were costly and time-consuming. They were purely optional, even indulgent.

That is no longer the case.

We are facing two simultaneous crises that have radically changed the landscape.

The first is well known. Donald Trump is attacking our democracy from every angle. He is an authoritarian with contempt for the rule of law and the Constitution. He ignores checks and balances and cannot fathom an independent judiciary or an assertive Congress. He has no use for free and fair elections — all he cares about is obtaining and holding power.

The second crisis is equally important. Trump and his allies are rapidly taking over our major news outlets. Fox News and the Wall Street Journal are owned by Rupert Murdoch. The Washington Post belongs to Jeff Bezos. 

Now, through a purchase and a merger, CBS News and CNN will fall under the control of Trump ally David Ellison. In short order, we should expect Bari Weiss to take over the 24-hour news channel. The same changes we have witnessed at CBS will now befall CNN.

It’s not much better in the rest of the industry.

Comcast, which owns NBC, has funded Trump’s pet projects and is clearly eager to stay in the White House’s good graces. ABC’s parent company, Disney, already capitulated to Trump by paying $16 million to settle a baseless lawsuit and briefly suspending Jimmy Kimmel when Trump expressed displeasure.

Yes, MS NOW remains independent, as do a handful of other traditional news outlets. But even within that group, there is a shrinking number you can be certain will stand up to Trump’s threats and deliver pro-democracy coverage.

The truth is that if democracy is to survive this era, we can no longer treat independent media as optional. It is essential, and we must do everything we can to help it thrive and grow — quickly.

I started Democracy Docket in 2020 because I saw this crisis on the horizon. At the time, there was no reliably pro-democracy platform keeping you informed about what was happening to democracy in the courts — and that was before the post-election period and Trump’s assault on the results.

The truth is that if democracy is to survive this era, we can no longer treat independent media as optional.

Even as other, larger outlets have tried to make their peace with Trump, I have steered Democracy Docket into the storm, not away from it. We do not seek favors from this administration. We do not back down or bend the knee.

Democracy Docket can follow a pro-democracy north star because it has no private investors looking for a quick return. It has no corporate owners worried about how our work might affect a larger portfolio.

Today, Democracy Docket has 22 employees. With the support of our current subscriber base, that number will soon grow to more than 30. Yet even as we grow, it is clear that the threats to democracy and the erosion of legacy news are accelerating even faster.

To reach our full potential and fill the growing gaps in the media ecosystem, we need to scale up larger than we planned — and at a much faster rate.

The only way we can do that is through your support. If you can afford to become a premium member, now is a great time to do it. You will get access to exclusive content and events — but most importantly, you will help keep Democracy Docket’s website and daily and weekly newsletters free for everyone.

Either way, please consider sharing Democracy Docket’s content on social media and encouraging your friends to sign up as well.

The road ahead will be long and hard. Being an informed citizen is critical. Ensuring we have vibrant, pro-democracy media — willing and able to withstand whatever comes — is essential.

Thank you for your time, your commitment and your trust.