By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The recent potential sale of Vox Media highlighted the concerning trend of right-wing billionaires acquiring media outlets, raising fears of further consolidation of news into partisan hands. While the specific purchase by James Murdoch averted this immediate threat, it underscored the broader issue: the unchecked influence of wealthy individuals on public discourse. Rather than focusing on the unattainable reversal of Citizens United, a more practical solution lies in bolstering public financing for elections and exploring journalism vouchers to empower diverse news sources and counter the dominance of billionaire-backed media. This approach offers a viable path to preserve democratic access to information and counter the spread of partisan narratives.
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Forget Citizens United, if we don’t have independent media we’re done for. If progressives are going to have any hope of competing with the billionaires’ candidates, we need to ensure that the Trumpers don’t control the portion of the media not currently in their possession.
The media landscape is a critical battleground, and the idea that we should focus on independent media over even something as significant as Citizens United isn’t a dismissal of that landmark decision. Instead, it’s a recognition that without a robust, independent media ecosystem, the impact of decisions like Citizens United becomes exponentially more dangerous. The input suggests that many right-wing media outlets have already transitioned from merely being corporate sympathizers to outright ideological mouthpieces, making the situation dire.
The current media environment is the culmination of a decades-long plan, not a sudden opportunistic shift. The consolidation of media ownership by megacorporations, transforming news into outrage-farming tabloids for clicks, is a symptom of a deeply corrupted system that has been inching towards oligarchy for at least fifty years. This trend has fundamentally altered how information is disseminated and consumed.
Without the amplification provided by these media outlets, a figure like Trump’s initial presidential run in 2016 might have been dismissed and laughed off, as it had been previously. However, driven by the insatiable pursuit of ratings at any cost, many previously credible news networks devoted hours to airing his rallies, filled with racist and fear-mongering rhetoric. This constant, unquestioning coverage unfortunately lent him an illusion of legitimacy among those who are less critical or easily swayed.
At the heart of this issue lies a persistent problem: the lack of public campaign financing, a system common in most civilized nations for decades. When politicians become beholden to the interests of the wealthy elite, corporations, and special interest groups, it’s only a matter of time before all branches of government fall under the sway of an oligarchy. This isn’t a new phenomenon; mass media has been largely controlled by oligarchs or large corporations for over a century. The current generation of oligarchs, with figures like Ellison, Musk, and Bezos, are simply more willing to align with the political administration of the day, and Trump, in particular, is known to be susceptible to flattery and favors.
The combination of concentrated media ownership and the influence of the military-industrial complex seems to be a likely culprit, on top of the ability of the oligarchy to pour vast sums of money into political campaigns. Imagine the frustration of a citizen in a state like Kentucky, seeing a billionaire who doesn’t even reside there spend tens of millions to replace their congressman. It’s a stark reminder that the current system allows immense financial power to directly influence political outcomes.
When we look at how political discourse has devolved, it’s clear that many Republicans running for office offer little substance, relying instead on fear-mongering and the promise of benefiting one group at the expense of another, with no genuine solutions to the nation’s problems. This mirrors historical patterns, as seen in 1920s Germany, where moderate media outlets downplayed fascist violence and then decried any left-wing responses, all in an effort to maintain a façade of “fair and balanced” reporting.
Today, discerning journalists from those focused on mere “fair and balanced” coverage can be as simple as observing their reporting on figures like Trump. Those committed to the truth will identify him as a convicted felon, a rapist, and the most impeached president in US history, acknowledging these objective realities. Failing to mention these facts on a daily basis means ignoring the very basis of objective truth and allowing propaganda to flourish.
Historically, there were limits on how many media sources an entity could own within a broadcast area. Now, we face excessive media monopolies. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 is often cited as the legislation that set the stage for much of this deregulation and subsequent consolidation. While some argue that states might have ways to counter the power of Citizens United within their own borders, this is a complex legal area.
The challenge also lies in the fact that even media outlets not directly owned by right-wing interests may still be hesitant to report truthfully for fear of lawsuits or retribution. Without a significant shift in media ownership and control, or perhaps a fundamental restructuring of how news is funded and distributed, it’s difficult to see how true independence can be achieved. The current reality is that one side of the political spectrum possesses the overwhelming majority of the capital, and they are no longer pretending to hide it.
The framing of the issue as Citizens United versus independent media can be misleading, as both are critical concerns that need to be addressed. However, the argument is that the immediate and pervasive threat comes from the lack of independent media voices. Without these independent platforms, the influence of money in politics, exacerbated by decisions like Citizens United, becomes even more overwhelming.
Progressives often struggle to find truly independent media, as many outlets that are perceived as liberal are actually controlled by centrists or funded by individuals with their own agendas. The idea that media should not report on issues where they have a personal or financial interest is a compelling one, suggesting a need for strict separation between political influence and journalistic reporting. The current landscape, where billionaires can acquire media outlets and shape narratives, is unsustainable for a healthy democracy.
The solution requires more than just incremental changes; it necessitates a comprehensive effort to reclaim the media space. This could involve exploring models like public funding for media, encouraging the growth of truly independent and investigative journalism, and holding media conglomerates accountable for their role in shaping public discourse. The ability of citizens to access reliable information is paramount, and when that access is controlled by a select few with vested interests, the foundations of a democratic society begin to crumble. The fight for independent media is, in essence, a fight for the future of informed citizenry and a functioning democracy.