The Media and Democracy Project
@mediaanddemocracy.bsky.social
Non-partisan civic advocacy group working to improve our media and defend our democracy 🇺🇸 #PressFreedom
mediaanddemocracyproject.org
All our links: linktr.ee/FixMediaNow
mediaanddemocracyproject.org
All our links: linktr.ee/FixMediaNow
Pinned
A 🧵
See our grades & analysis of 60+ front pages for #NoKings coverage.
Influential news outlets like NYT/ WSJ continue trivialize coverage of the pro-democracy movement & demonstrations like #NoKings. Editors of local outlets did better.
+ A few surprises
see: open.substack.com/pub/mediaand...
1/n
See our grades & analysis of 60+ front pages for #NoKings coverage.
Influential news outlets like NYT/ WSJ continue trivialize coverage of the pro-democracy movement & demonstrations like #NoKings. Editors of local outlets did better.
+ A few surprises
see: open.substack.com/pub/mediaand...
1/n
A 🧵
How many newspaper Editorial Boards have called for Pres. Trump's impeachment (or resignation)?
As far as we know, only one: @sentinelcolorado.com
Our 2 part series: journalism, trust, press freedom & how a local newspaper serves its community-and democracy.
open.substack.com/pub/mediaand...
How many newspaper Editorial Boards have called for Pres. Trump's impeachment (or resignation)?
As far as we know, only one: @sentinelcolorado.com
Our 2 part series: journalism, trust, press freedom & how a local newspaper serves its community-and democracy.
open.substack.com/pub/mediaand...
First in the Nation: A Courageous Editorial Board Calls for Trump’s Impeachment
American Democracy is under siege. The President of the United States is subverting the Constitution. One patriotic Editorial Board rises to the moment.
open.substack.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
A 🧵
How many newspaper Editorial Boards have called for Pres. Trump's impeachment (or resignation)?
As far as we know, only one: @sentinelcolorado.com
Our 2 part series: journalism, trust, press freedom & how a local newspaper serves its community-and democracy.
open.substack.com/pub/mediaand...
How many newspaper Editorial Boards have called for Pres. Trump's impeachment (or resignation)?
As far as we know, only one: @sentinelcolorado.com
Our 2 part series: journalism, trust, press freedom & how a local newspaper serves its community-and democracy.
open.substack.com/pub/mediaand...
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
We published our AI policy yesterday. It affirms our commitment to human-made writing, photography and illustrations. #journalism #localnews You can read more here: thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/202...
The Tyee Has a New AI Policy | The Tyee
Long story short: We’re mostly taking a pass on the robots.
thetyee.ca
December 6, 2025 at 6:07 PM
We published our AI policy yesterday. It affirms our commitment to human-made writing, photography and illustrations. #journalism #localnews You can read more here: thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/202...
#ShouldBeFrontPage
Today #Musk is openly at war w/the EU. In the last year, the most powerful media oligarch in the world has campaigned for right wing anti-democratic movements around the world UK, Germany, Japan…
(It’s nearly 3yrs since NYT Jeremy Peters “critics say..” it’s time for an update).
Today #Musk is openly at war w/the EU. In the last year, the most powerful media oligarch in the world has campaigned for right wing anti-democratic movements around the world UK, Germany, Japan…
(It’s nearly 3yrs since NYT Jeremy Peters “critics say..” it’s time for an update).
December 7, 2025 at 2:16 AM
#ShouldBeFrontPage
Today #Musk is openly at war w/the EU. In the last year, the most powerful media oligarch in the world has campaigned for right wing anti-democratic movements around the world UK, Germany, Japan…
(It’s nearly 3yrs since NYT Jeremy Peters “critics say..” it’s time for an update).
Today #Musk is openly at war w/the EU. In the last year, the most powerful media oligarch in the world has campaigned for right wing anti-democratic movements around the world UK, Germany, Japan…
(It’s nearly 3yrs since NYT Jeremy Peters “critics say..” it’s time for an update).
Oligarchy also makes America less diverse.
Folks who might find this of interest:
@amandalitman.bsky.social @nhannahjones.bsky.social @deanbaker13.bsky.social @rbreich.bsky.social @ezralevin.bsky.social @ocasio-cortez.house.gov @warren.senate.gov @dieworkwear.bsky.social
👇
bsky.app/profile/medi...
Folks who might find this of interest:
@amandalitman.bsky.social @nhannahjones.bsky.social @deanbaker13.bsky.social @rbreich.bsky.social @ezralevin.bsky.social @ocasio-cortez.house.gov @warren.senate.gov @dieworkwear.bsky.social
👇
bsky.app/profile/medi...
Insights from @adambonica.bsky.social
Money Doesn't Buy Elections. It Does Something Worse.
"It’s about the candidates who never run, the policies that never get debated, and the slow, systemic drift of our democracy away from the will of the majority."
data4democracy.substack.com/p/money-does...
Money Doesn't Buy Elections. It Does Something Worse.
"It’s about the candidates who never run, the policies that never get debated, and the slow, systemic drift of our democracy away from the will of the majority."
data4democracy.substack.com/p/money-does...
Money Doesn't Buy Elections. It Does Something Worse.
Campaign ads barely move the needle. The real influence is hiding in plain sight.
data4democracy.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Oligarchy also makes America less diverse.
Folks who might find this of interest:
@amandalitman.bsky.social @nhannahjones.bsky.social @deanbaker13.bsky.social @rbreich.bsky.social @ezralevin.bsky.social @ocasio-cortez.house.gov @warren.senate.gov @dieworkwear.bsky.social
👇
bsky.app/profile/medi...
Folks who might find this of interest:
@amandalitman.bsky.social @nhannahjones.bsky.social @deanbaker13.bsky.social @rbreich.bsky.social @ezralevin.bsky.social @ocasio-cortez.house.gov @warren.senate.gov @dieworkwear.bsky.social
👇
bsky.app/profile/medi...
The influential NYT ran a piece today w/6 Trump voter's opinions on USG murdering people but do any @nytimes.com assignment editors think civic engagement *is* news "that's fit to print"?
Their minimal pro-democracy movement / #NoKings coverage is a choice.
h/t @riseandresist.bsky.social
Their minimal pro-democracy movement / #NoKings coverage is a choice.
h/t @riseandresist.bsky.social
Today, Dec 6, 2025
NYC Hands Off Training
1,000 people attended!
No ICE in NYC!
Join us at HandsOffNYC.com.
NYC Hands Off Training
1,000 people attended!
No ICE in NYC!
Join us at HandsOffNYC.com.
December 6, 2025 at 10:09 PM
The influential NYT ran a piece today w/6 Trump voter's opinions on USG murdering people but do any @nytimes.com assignment editors think civic engagement *is* news "that's fit to print"?
Their minimal pro-democracy movement / #NoKings coverage is a choice.
h/t @riseandresist.bsky.social
Their minimal pro-democracy movement / #NoKings coverage is a choice.
h/t @riseandresist.bsky.social
Insights from @adambonica.bsky.social
Money Doesn't Buy Elections. It Does Something Worse.
"It’s about the candidates who never run, the policies that never get debated, and the slow, systemic drift of our democracy away from the will of the majority."
data4democracy.substack.com/p/money-does...
Money Doesn't Buy Elections. It Does Something Worse.
"It’s about the candidates who never run, the policies that never get debated, and the slow, systemic drift of our democracy away from the will of the majority."
data4democracy.substack.com/p/money-does...
Money Doesn't Buy Elections. It Does Something Worse.
Campaign ads barely move the needle. The real influence is hiding in plain sight.
data4democracy.substack.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Insights from @adambonica.bsky.social
Money Doesn't Buy Elections. It Does Something Worse.
"It’s about the candidates who never run, the policies that never get debated, and the slow, systemic drift of our democracy away from the will of the majority."
data4democracy.substack.com/p/money-does...
Money Doesn't Buy Elections. It Does Something Worse.
"It’s about the candidates who never run, the policies that never get debated, and the slow, systemic drift of our democracy away from the will of the majority."
data4democracy.substack.com/p/money-does...
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
Trip 39 to DC may be my last. I've said that to myself on every trip, now I'm saying it out loud. The truth is, it's extremely difficult on my body to make these journeys & always act like it's the last one. I know how CRUCIAL it is to have YOUR voice heard & will virtually advocate & NEVER GIVE UP!
December 6, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Trip 39 to DC may be my last. I've said that to myself on every trip, now I'm saying it out loud. The truth is, it's extremely difficult on my body to make these journeys & always act like it's the last one. I know how CRUCIAL it is to have YOUR voice heard & will virtually advocate & NEVER GIVE UP!
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
This Week In Techdirt History: November 30th – December 6th
Five Years Ago This week in 2020, Donald Trump got angry about a trend on Twitter and went full force calling for a repeal of Section 230, renewing the effort to slip this into the must-pass military spending bill. Trump promised he was…
Five Years Ago This week in 2020, Donald Trump got angry about a trend on Twitter and went full force calling for a repeal of Section 230, renewing the effort to slip this into the must-pass military spending bill. Trump promised he was…
This Week In Techdirt History: November 30th – December 6th
Five Years Ago This week in 2020, Donald Trump got angry about a trend on Twitter and went full force calling for a repeal of Section 230, renewing the effort to slip this into the must-pass military spending bill. Trump promised he was willing to defund the entire military if Congress didn't agree, but Congress decided to ignore his threats…
www.techdirt.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:00 PM
This Week In Techdirt History: November 30th – December 6th
Five Years Ago This week in 2020, Donald Trump got angry about a trend on Twitter and went full force calling for a repeal of Section 230, renewing the effort to slip this into the must-pass military spending bill. Trump promised he was…
Five Years Ago This week in 2020, Donald Trump got angry about a trend on Twitter and went full force calling for a repeal of Section 230, renewing the effort to slip this into the must-pass military spending bill. Trump promised he was…
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
For those not in the know, Connie Chung was the first Asian to anchor any network news broadcast and the first woman to co-anchor CBS Evening News. In 2024, she received the @aajaofficial.bsky.social Lifetime Achievement Award.
It's a big deal that she's publicly cut ties with her former employer
It's a big deal that she's publicly cut ties with her former employer
December 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
For those not in the know, Connie Chung was the first Asian to anchor any network news broadcast and the first woman to co-anchor CBS Evening News. In 2024, she received the @aajaofficial.bsky.social Lifetime Achievement Award.
It's a big deal that she's publicly cut ties with her former employer
It's a big deal that she's publicly cut ties with her former employer
#LocalJournalism h/t @highlandscurrent.bsky.social
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services (USCIS), which approves applicants for citizenship is disrupting naturalization ceremonies with novel excuses.
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services (USCIS), which approves applicants for citizenship is disrupting naturalization ceremonies with novel excuses.
Routine naturalization ceremonies scheduled for this month in Putnam, Dutchess and Ulster counties to welcome new U.S. citizens were abruptly canceled last week by the federal government, surprising local officials. buff.ly/8emFeDU
Citizen Ceremonies Canceled
Dutchess, Putnam clerks say they have new dates for next year
buff.ly
December 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
#LocalJournalism h/t @highlandscurrent.bsky.social
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services (USCIS), which approves applicants for citizenship is disrupting naturalization ceremonies with novel excuses.
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services (USCIS), which approves applicants for citizenship is disrupting naturalization ceremonies with novel excuses.
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
all a bit esoteric and it's not exactly a messaging winner, but: america is a religion, and a proselytizing one. that's what being a creedal nation means. come to america, endorse the principles of the declaration and the constitution: congrats, you are an american.
www.patreon.com/posts/109838...
www.patreon.com/posts/109838...
December 6, 2025 at 5:12 PM
all a bit esoteric and it's not exactly a messaging winner, but: america is a religion, and a proselytizing one. that's what being a creedal nation means. come to america, endorse the principles of the declaration and the constitution: congrats, you are an american.
www.patreon.com/posts/109838...
www.patreon.com/posts/109838...
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
If the Fourteenth Amendment isn’t real then Section 3 isn’t real either and the justices are suddenly just people in funny clothes.
The Supreme Court Friday agreed to decide whether President Donald Trump can unilaterally limit the constitutional right to citizenship granted to virtually every person born in the United States. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Supreme Court to Hear Trump's Bid To Eliminate Birthright Citizenship
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:22 PM
If the Fourteenth Amendment isn’t real then Section 3 isn’t real either and the justices are suddenly just people in funny clothes.
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
6 Dec 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- The official portrait hanging in HHS for Adm. Rachel Levine, who served 4 years as Biden's Assistant Secretary for Health, has been altered to reflect her deadname.
HHS changed the name of transgender health leader on her official portrait
Admiral Rachel Levine was the first transgender person to be confirmed by the Senate to serve in the federal government. Her official portrait at HHS headquarters has been altered.
www.npr.org
December 6, 2025 at 12:48 PM
6 Dec 2025 @rikiwilchins.bsky.social -- The official portrait hanging in HHS for Adm. Rachel Levine, who served 4 years as Biden's Assistant Secretary for Health, has been altered to reflect her deadname.
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
That "Temu peace prize" reveals the president as a toddler, and our techbro billionaire overlords are toddlers too. I've posted this before, but it's important - see Cory Doctorow's essay on "surveillance infantilism" here: doctorow.medium.com/https-plural...
December 6, 2025 at 12:31 PM
That "Temu peace prize" reveals the president as a toddler, and our techbro billionaire overlords are toddlers too. I've posted this before, but it's important - see Cory Doctorow's essay on "surveillance infantilism" here: doctorow.medium.com/https-plural...
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
Investigating Social Media Algorithms
This guide features tips, techniques, and best practices for covering the algorithms – and their corresponding impacts – used by tech giants’ social media platforms.
🔗
This guide features tips, techniques, and best practices for covering the algorithms – and their corresponding impacts – used by tech giants’ social media platforms.
🔗
gijn.org
Guide to Investigating Social Media Algorithms
twp.ai
December 6, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Investigating Social Media Algorithms
This guide features tips, techniques, and best practices for covering the algorithms – and their corresponding impacts – used by tech giants’ social media platforms.
🔗
This guide features tips, techniques, and best practices for covering the algorithms – and their corresponding impacts – used by tech giants’ social media platforms.
🔗
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
Rümeysa Öztürk has been facing deportation for 255 days for co-writing an op-ed the government didn’t like.
And journalist Ya’akub Vijandre remains locked up by ICE over social media posts about issues he reported on.
Read (and subscribe to) our newsletter for more ongoing press freedom battles.
And journalist Ya’akub Vijandre remains locked up by ICE over social media posts about issues he reported on.
Read (and subscribe to) our newsletter for more ongoing press freedom battles.
Caving is out, suing is in
FPF demands court lift secrecy in Herridge privilege case
freedom.press
December 5, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Rümeysa Öztürk has been facing deportation for 255 days for co-writing an op-ed the government didn’t like.
And journalist Ya’akub Vijandre remains locked up by ICE over social media posts about issues he reported on.
Read (and subscribe to) our newsletter for more ongoing press freedom battles.
And journalist Ya’akub Vijandre remains locked up by ICE over social media posts about issues he reported on.
Read (and subscribe to) our newsletter for more ongoing press freedom battles.
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
My constituent, Wilmer, was mauled by an ICE attack dog despite the fact that, as he has consistently explained, he was not resisting arrest or trying to flee—his wife and young children, all U.S. citizens, were forced to watch helplessly as Wilmer was violently attacked and dragged away.
December 6, 2025 at 2:41 AM
My constituent, Wilmer, was mauled by an ICE attack dog despite the fact that, as he has consistently explained, he was not resisting arrest or trying to flee—his wife and young children, all U.S. citizens, were forced to watch helplessly as Wilmer was violently attacked and dragged away.
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
As we've previously noted, what many overlook is that fascism isn't merely a local or national concern; it's an inherently expansionist and parasitic ideology that disregards borders and refuses to remain confined on or offline.
"The US is quietly declaring sovereignty over cyberspace and expecting the world to acquiesce, making an unprecedented digital landgrab in the name of freedom" #extraterritorial www.theneweuropean.co.uk/james-ball-d...
Donald Trump’s digital landgrab
His attempt to grab control of the internet is perhaps the biggest threat of all
www.theneweuropean.co.uk
June 1, 2025 at 10:58 AM
As we've previously noted, what many overlook is that fascism isn't merely a local or national concern; it's an inherently expansionist and parasitic ideology that disregards borders and refuses to remain confined on or offline.
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
Read this moving profile about El Refugio, a hospitality house in Lumpkin, GA, that provides a place for loved ones of immigrants held at Stewart Detention Center to stay, rest, and visit detainees. www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/05/i...
The Small House Offering Aid in the Shadow of an ICE Detention Center
Amid rising ICE arrests, volunteers provide aid — a meal, a bed, gas money — to anyone visiting someone detained in remote rural Georgia.
www.themarshallproject.org
December 5, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Read this moving profile about El Refugio, a hospitality house in Lumpkin, GA, that provides a place for loved ones of immigrants held at Stewart Detention Center to stay, rest, and visit detainees. www.themarshallproject.org/2025/12/05/i...
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
The Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination and Voices for Vaccines, programs of The Task Force for Global Health, express profound concern regarding the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)’s vote to delay hepatitis B birth dose vaccination.
www.globalhep.org/news-blogs/c...
www.globalhep.org/news-blogs/c...
Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination: ACIP Vote Threatens Decades of Progress Protecting Newborns | CGHE
www.globalhep.org
December 5, 2025 at 10:24 PM
The Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination and Voices for Vaccines, programs of The Task Force for Global Health, express profound concern regarding the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)’s vote to delay hepatitis B birth dose vaccination.
www.globalhep.org/news-blogs/c...
www.globalhep.org/news-blogs/c...
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
“If you believe, as Ellison does, that Americans will be better off when they are subjected to ‘supervision at all times,’ then buying microvideo platforms, enterprise software, streaming services, cable networks, gaming developers, & internet publishers is just buying supervision capacity.”
The Ellisons Are Beta-Testing Big Brother.
If your feeds, subs, streams, games, and sports don't ensure you are on your "best behavior," your school and its EdTech partners will.
theamericanvandal.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:50 PM
“If you believe, as Ellison does, that Americans will be better off when they are subjected to ‘supervision at all times,’ then buying microvideo platforms, enterprise software, streaming services, cable networks, gaming developers, & internet publishers is just buying supervision capacity.”
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
Indiana state house Republicans just approved a new 9-0 gerrymandered map ousting two US House Democrats, giving Republicans 100% of seats in state where Trump got 58% of vote
December 5, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Indiana state house Republicans just approved a new 9-0 gerrymandered map ousting two US House Democrats, giving Republicans 100% of seats in state where Trump got 58% of vote
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
🔔 At the top of the hour: Join us for a discussion w/ immigration journalists about reporting truth and protecting communities, ft. @maritzafelix.bsky.social, @arelisrhdz.bsky.social, @lamthuyvo.bsky.social, @joseiswriting.bsky.social, @caitlinvogus.bsky.social
RSVP: freedom.press/immigration-beat
RSVP: freedom.press/immigration-beat
December 5, 2025 at 6:04 PM
🔔 At the top of the hour: Join us for a discussion w/ immigration journalists about reporting truth and protecting communities, ft. @maritzafelix.bsky.social, @arelisrhdz.bsky.social, @lamthuyvo.bsky.social, @joseiswriting.bsky.social, @caitlinvogus.bsky.social
RSVP: freedom.press/immigration-beat
RSVP: freedom.press/immigration-beat
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
December 5, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Reposted by The Media and Democracy Project
@freepress.bsky.social and @publicknowledge.bsky.social were outside the FCC Chairman’s dinner this week to demand that Brendan Carr stop using his regulatory power to censor the media.
At the annual fête the chair gives a funny speech, but Carr’s actions are no laughing matter.
At the annual fête the chair gives a funny speech, but Carr’s actions are no laughing matter.
Brendan Carr is being toasted by all of DC’s communications lawyers.
@freepress.bsky.social and @publicknowledge.bsky.social are here to remind them what’s at stake
@freepress.bsky.social and @publicknowledge.bsky.social are here to remind them what’s at stake
December 5, 2025 at 1:16 PM
@freepress.bsky.social and @publicknowledge.bsky.social were outside the FCC Chairman’s dinner this week to demand that Brendan Carr stop using his regulatory power to censor the media.
At the annual fête the chair gives a funny speech, but Carr’s actions are no laughing matter.
At the annual fête the chair gives a funny speech, but Carr’s actions are no laughing matter.