To answer the question in the title: a lot and not just at the national and international level. The paring down of the press corps and the buying of news outlets by conglomerates has meant that there's definitely a bias not only rightward but also against in-depth reporting.
This is no more evident than at the local level. They've decimated local reporting, so much so that the freelancers (a problem in and of itself because they won't get paid at all if editors don't like their work) who cover local politics do minimal digging and don't provide context. As such, local politics is covered barely at all and poorly when it is. This means people don't know what's going on around them. Poorly informed citizens usually don't hold those in power accountable nor do they vote smart.
I live in Texas, one of the most poorly informed and voter suppressed states around. I've been trying to build a group of citizen journalists to cover the local school boards, city councils, and commissioner court within my county for a few years now. It's a very difficult job, especially as getting people to volunteer for what they think will be boring (sometimes it is but mostly it isn't) is a challenge. I then mash all the information together and write a weekly column summing it all up. I definitely have a bias as well but since I"m not a "real" reporter and we don't hear a lot of liberal bias in these parts, I think it's OK. People have to hear the opposing side. I would say I've been amazed by the lack of general political knowledge but, before 2017, I was just as ignorant. Since we can no longer count on the press to adequately do their job (especially at the local level), then we must step up.
So yes, we must hold the press accountable. But we also must work to change the conglomerate system so we're not fighting a war on multiple fronts.
Alternative newspapers got their start when the Vietnam war was center stage, and some of them are still thriving. I suppose it's next to impossible to start up a paper but that might be the way to go, especially in places like Texas, where any liberal or progressive slant is no doubt drowned out. Maybe find a donor willing to back those efforts and to hell with censorship. The word has to get out somehow. Writers everywhere should be thinking of ways to do it.
At some point the independent press will be all we'll have between democracy and authoritarianism.
That's a good idea. I'll see if I can suggest that to others. I barely have time for my own writing and, of course, my day job. I'm a psychologist in private practice and it's been hell on wheels since the pandemic started.
Misty, I live in North Texas, Frisco, and I'd love to know more about where you live and your efforts to build a group of "citizen journalists". I've lived in Texas since 2010, and with all the voter suppression, corrupt politicians, and Cruz and Abbott, I'm ashamed to say that I live here. I've found it much easier just to do nothing, but maybe it is time to do something else for a change. I'm not sure what that something else is, but I'm never going to know unless I venture out and ask.
Yes, living in Texas these days is crushing. It didn't used to be this way. We're also the state of LBJ and Ann Richards but here we are. You're just down the street! I live in McKinney. My weekly column is published in the Rally, Collin County Democratic Party's weekly newsletter. I can totally get you involved. We'd love to have you!
Thanks, Misty. I found the website, and I've signed up for the newsletter. I'll peruse the website more later. I work for a CPA firm, and I have upcoming 9-15 and 10-15 deadlines that will take up most of any extra time that I will have until I get past those dates. But after that, I'll be ready to move forward with getting involved. Looking forward to it.
To answer the question in the title: a lot and not just at the national and international level. The paring down of the press corps and the buying of news outlets by conglomerates has meant that there's definitely a bias not only rightward but also against in-depth reporting.
This is no more evident than at the local level. They've decimated local reporting, so much so that the freelancers (a problem in and of itself because they won't get paid at all if editors don't like their work) who cover local politics do minimal digging and don't provide context. As such, local politics is covered barely at all and poorly when it is. This means people don't know what's going on around them. Poorly informed citizens usually don't hold those in power accountable nor do they vote smart.
I live in Texas, one of the most poorly informed and voter suppressed states around. I've been trying to build a group of citizen journalists to cover the local school boards, city councils, and commissioner court within my county for a few years now. It's a very difficult job, especially as getting people to volunteer for what they think will be boring (sometimes it is but mostly it isn't) is a challenge. I then mash all the information together and write a weekly column summing it all up. I definitely have a bias as well but since I"m not a "real" reporter and we don't hear a lot of liberal bias in these parts, I think it's OK. People have to hear the opposing side. I would say I've been amazed by the lack of general political knowledge but, before 2017, I was just as ignorant. Since we can no longer count on the press to adequately do their job (especially at the local level), then we must step up.
So yes, we must hold the press accountable. But we also must work to change the conglomerate system so we're not fighting a war on multiple fronts.
Alternative newspapers got their start when the Vietnam war was center stage, and some of them are still thriving. I suppose it's next to impossible to start up a paper but that might be the way to go, especially in places like Texas, where any liberal or progressive slant is no doubt drowned out. Maybe find a donor willing to back those efforts and to hell with censorship. The word has to get out somehow. Writers everywhere should be thinking of ways to do it.
At some point the independent press will be all we'll have between democracy and authoritarianism.
That's a good idea. I'll see if I can suggest that to others. I barely have time for my own writing and, of course, my day job. I'm a psychologist in private practice and it's been hell on wheels since the pandemic started.
Sounds like you've got enough on the table! Designate yourself the 'advisor' and put the rest of them to work. I wish you luck!
Misty, I live in North Texas, Frisco, and I'd love to know more about where you live and your efforts to build a group of "citizen journalists". I've lived in Texas since 2010, and with all the voter suppression, corrupt politicians, and Cruz and Abbott, I'm ashamed to say that I live here. I've found it much easier just to do nothing, but maybe it is time to do something else for a change. I'm not sure what that something else is, but I'm never going to know unless I venture out and ask.
I love when this happens!
Yes, living in Texas these days is crushing. It didn't used to be this way. We're also the state of LBJ and Ann Richards but here we are. You're just down the street! I live in McKinney. My weekly column is published in the Rally, Collin County Democratic Party's weekly newsletter. I can totally get you involved. We'd love to have you!
Thanks, Misty. I found the website, and I've signed up for the newsletter. I'll peruse the website more later. I work for a CPA firm, and I have upcoming 9-15 and 10-15 deadlines that will take up most of any extra time that I will have until I get past those dates. But after that, I'll be ready to move forward with getting involved. Looking forward to it.