Black Agenda Report
Black Agenda Report
News, commentary and analysis from the black left.

  • Home
  • Africa
  • African America
  • Education
  • Environment
  • International
  • Media and Culture
  • Political Economy
  • Radio
  • US Politics
  • War and Empire

No News Is Bad News: The Death Dance of Journalism and the Twilight of Democracy
Bill Quigley
20 May 2009
🖨️ Print Article

by Robert McChesney

In this 90 minute address, Dr. Robert McChesney argues that the disappearance of journalism from newspapers and broadcast media marks the twilight of democracy.  Back in the days when Frederick Douglass and other abolitionists started their newspapers, the US Postal Service was mailing them for free.  At the time, newspapers were 90% of post office volume, and accounted for 2% of its income, a massive government subsidy.  Only a massive subsidy --- a stimulus program for journalism, and stripping corporate owners of dozens and hundreds of stations that some of them own, can begin to make real democracy possible.

Do you need and appreciate Black Agenda Report articles? Please click on the DONATE icon, and help us out, if you can.


More Stories


  • Raymond Nat Turner, BAR poet-in-residence
    The fire this time … (as Amiri tolt me)
    29 Jan 2025
    "The fire this time … (as Amiri tolt me)" is the latest from BAR's Poet-in-Residence.
  • Roberto Sirvent, BAR Book Forum Editor
    BAR Book Forum: Jessie Cox’s Book, “Sounds of Black Switzerland”
    29 Jan 2025
    In this series, we ask acclaimed authors to answer five questions about their book. This week’s featured author is Jessie Cox. Cox is Assistant Professor of Music at Harvard University. His book is…
  • Nemanja Lukić
    Imperialist Terrorism and Accumulation Through Sanctions: The Case of Serbia
    29 Jan 2025
    Since the launch of its military operation in Ukraine, Russia has become one of the most sanctioned countries in the world. This sanctions campaign, driven by the U.S. and E.U., not only focuses on…
  • Hanna Eid
    Gaza Ceasfire: An Appraisal of the Situation
    29 Jan 2025
    A week has elapsed since the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas went into effect. As Palestinians return to their devastated communities, we must analyze the moment and the…
  • Christina Carrega
    Despite Pardons, Many Formerly Incarcerated Black People Still Face Uncertainty
    29 Jan 2025
    Biden’s final executive order commuted sentences for thousands, but “collateral consequences” remain a risk.
  • Load More
Subscribe
connect with us
about us
contact us