• Media ownership has a significant influence on news content, raising concerns about bias, lack of diversity, self-censorship, and conflicts of interest.
• Concentration of media ownership can lead to selective reporting, framing of stories, and the omission of certain perspectives.
• Lack of diversity in news content limits the range of voices and ideas represented, hindering a robust and inclusive public discourse.
• Self-censorship and conflicts of interest may arise when media outlets align their content with the interests of owners or advertisers.
• Economic implications include the closure of smaller independent outlets and monopolistic practices.
• Regulations promoting media diversity and transparency can help address these concerns.
• Media consumers should be critical and seek out diverse sources and perspectives.
• Media organizations must strive for transparency, independence, and accountability.
• Understanding and addressing the influence of media ownership is crucial for a more informed and democratic society.

Much of the mainstream media is owned by and for the very rich. There are a number of independent media outlets that do a much better job reporting and analyzing what is happening in our world without the corporate spin.They are going to need our support now more than ever. Here are some good ones:

Pro Publica An independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism with moral force. Their stories have exposed both civic and corporate neglect and corruption, and have motivated much-needed remedial legislation.

Democracy Now! Award-winning daily news show you can watch, listen to, or read. Headlines and interviews, in-depth reporting on war, peace, and the presidency.

The Lever  Sign up for their free newsletter, podcast, and other thoughtful offerings. Become a member to support their growing newsroom.

Waging Nonviolence Nonprofit media organization dedicated to providing original reporting and expert analysis of social movements around the world

The Guardian  While this is a mainstream news outlet, The Guardian (founded in 1821) is owned by a trust, set up to “secure the financial and editorial independence ofThe Guardianin perpetuity and to safeguard the journalistic freedom and liberal values ofThe Guardianfree from commercial or political interference.” The Guardian has recreated a climate risk tool deleted from the FEMA website by the current national administration.

Trustworthy Media a list of more than 300 independent, community-based, member- and audience-supported, nonprofit, not-for-profit, cooperative, and social justice oriented news publications, primarily based in the United States and Canada.

OptOutNews   is a digital news ecosystem that’s entirely independent and reliable, an alternative to the dominant corporate and legacy media.

Ground News a platform that makes it easy to compare news sources, read between the lines of media bias and break free from algorithms.

Ha’aretz, founded in 1918 in Palestine, is widely read by international observers, especially in its English edition, and discussed in the international press.

CBC nightly news “The National” The flagship of CBC News, showcasing award-winning journalism from across Canada and around the world.

Labor Notes a media and organizing project that has been the voice of union activists who want to put the movement back in the labor movement since 1979.

John Oliver While broadly within the categories of political satire and late-night talk shows, Last Week Tonight has taken a more specific approach to deeper dives into systemic issues which intend to illustrate both the wider socio-political context and the complex interconnections and embeddedness of public policies in social outcomes.

Current Affairs is an American bimonthly magazine that discusses political and cultural topics from a left-wing perspective.

Bill McKibben on Substack: One of the founders of Third Act, McKibben also writes for the New Yorker, the Guardian, and other progressive publications.

Foreign Policy is an American news publication focused on global affairs, current events, and domestic and international policy. It produces content daily on its website and app and in four print issues annually, giving a voice to alternative views about American foreign policy.

The Nation A monthly magazine founded by abolitionists in 1865. Home to tenacious muckraking, provocative commentary, and spirited debate about politics and culture, The Nation empowers readers to fight for justice and equality.

The Bulwark  Analysis and reporting on politics and culture in America underpinned by a common commitment to democracy and social liberalism. Subscription only.

The Chris Hedges Report on Substack. Chris Hedges is a journalist of international standing. Forced to resign from The Times for criticizing the coverage of the Iraq invasion, he has been a constant voice for progressive policy.

Drop Site News  Completely independent journalism dedicated to principles of accuracy and accountability.

A Closer Look A popular political segment of “Late Night with Seth Myers”.

Hammer & Hope A magazine of black politics and culture.

More Perfect Union  Advocacy journalism building power for the working class, reporting on struggles and challenges from a working class perspective, with an attempt to connect to potential solutions.

Al-Jazeera English Known for its in-depth and frontline reporting particularly in conflict zones. Outstanding and truthful reporting on conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.

Heather Cox Richardson (Substack): “This is a chronicle of today’s political landscape, but because you can’t get a grip on today’s politics without an outline of America’s Constitution, and laws, and the economy, and social customs, this newsletter explores what it means, and what it has meant, to be an American.”

The Conversation US: A nonprofit, independent news organization dedicated to unlocking the knowledge of experts for the public good.

Popular Information (Substack): Daily news and analysis that respects you as a citizen. You won’t just learn about who is up and who is down. You’ll get in-depth information and perspective on the things that really matter.

The American Prospect: Devoted to promoting informed discussion on public policy from a progressive perspective. In print and online, the Prospect brings a narrative, journalistic approach to complex issues, addressing the policy alternatives and the politics necessary to create good legislation.

The Contrarian: by Jennifer Rubin, an American political commentator. She was a well-known columnist for The Washington Post until January 2025, when she resigned to produce The Contrarian on Substack. A conservative political commentator throughout most of her career, she became a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and in September 2020, she announced that she no longer identified as a conservative.

Today’s Edition: by Robert Hubbell, attorney and former White House Counsel. The newsletter started in February 2017 after the unexpected results of the 2016 election. Over time, it was shared among friends and became of community of like-minded citizens devoted to preserving American democracy.

Here are some Youtube channels for news and information:

Indivisible is a social movement organization that grew as the Indivisible movement grew, starting in 2016 building out a professional team of organizers, wonks, campaigners, digital and data specialists, and other experts to support the movement and fight for progressive values.

Robert Reich is an American professor, author, lawyer, progressive thinker and political commentator. He worked in the administrations of presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, and served as Secretary of Labor from 1993 to 1997.

Democracy Now is an hour-long TV, radio, and Internet news program founded in 1996, combining news reporting, interviews, investigative journalism and political commentary from a progressive perspective.

The Guardian is a British newspaper founded in 1821, and one of the most objective news organizations in the world, it also has an active Youtube channel.

Oregon Center for Public Policy is an economic research organization that conducts research and analysis of budget, tax, and economics issues to support policies that improve opportunities for all Oregonians. It supplies lawmakers with information “on issues affecting low- and moderate-income Oregonians”.

News-related podcasts:

The Nation Podcast is an interview series offering a behind-the-scenes look at the making of—and reporting for— some of The Nation’s standout stories. Convening select voices from the print edition, Guttenplan dives deep into the best of the magazine’s features, editorials, and criticism.