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We usually don’t post individual stories here, but this one is different. Attacks on legitimate polls and the rise of fake polls make it hard for voters to know what to believe. This open source article will help make the issue clear.<\/em><\/p>\n How Polls Can Help or Hurt Democracy<\/strong><\/a> from The Brennan Center for Justice. Its founders were inspired by Justice William J. Brennan Jr.\u2019s devotion to core democratic freedoms.<\/p>\n “Too many news organizations stoke hate and spread misinformation for profit. Organizations including Fox News, Newsmax and the Sinclair Broadcast Group \u2014 the owner of the largest number of local-TV stations in the United States \u2014 all rely on a business model that dehumanizes people, especially communities of color<\/strong><\/em>.” (Free Press. https:\/\/www.freepress.net)<\/em><\/p>\n “News coverage is far more than a benign source of facts. From our attitudes to immigrants to the content of our dreams, it can sneak into our subconscious and meddle with our lives in surprising ways.<\/strong><\/em> It can lead us to miscalculate certain risks, shape our views of foreign countries, and possibly influence the health of entire economies.\u00a0 It can increase our risk of developing post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression. There\u2019s emerging evidence that the emotional fallout of news coverage can even affect our physical health \u2013 increasing our chances of having a heart attack or developing health problems years later.” BBC<\/em><\/p>\n Check out this great fake news detector resource from 350.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more resources on how to detect fake news, consult The News Literacy Project<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Resource for media ownership, and media involvement in political campaigns<\/em>:<\/strong> https:\/\/projects.iq.harvard.edu\/futureofmedia\/index-us-mainstream-media-ownership<\/a><\/p>\n The Harvard summary on media ownership:<\/strong><\/p>\n 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:<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Pro Publica<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Democracy Now! <\/strong><\/a>Award-winning daily news show you can watch, listen to, or read. Headlines and interviews, in-depth reporting on war, peace, and the presidency.<\/p>\n The Lever<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 Sign up for their free newsletter, podcast, and other thoughtful offerings. Become a member to support their growing newsroom.<\/p>\n Waging Nonviolence <\/strong><\/a>Nonprofit media organization dedicated to providing original reporting and expert analysis of social movements around the world<\/p>\n The Guardian<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 While this is a mainstream news outlet, The Guardian<\/em> (founded in 1821) is owned by a trust, set up to\u00a0“secure the financial and editorial independence ofThe Guardian<\/i>in perpetuity and to safeguard the journalistic freedom and liberal values ofThe Guardian<\/i>free from commercial or political interference.” The Guardian has recreated a climate risk tool<\/a> deleted from the FEMA website by the current national administration.<\/p>\n Trustworthy Media<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n OptOutNews <\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 is a digital news ecosystem that’s entirely independent and reliable, an alternative to the dominant corporate and legacy media.<\/p>\n Ground News<\/strong><\/a> a platform that makes it easy to compare news sources, read between the lines of media bias and break free from algorithms.<\/p>\n Ha\u2019aretz<\/strong><\/a>, founded in 1918 in Palestine, is widely read by international observers, especially in its English edition, and discussed in the international press.<\/p>\n Labor Notes<\/strong><\/a> a media and organizing project that has been the voice of union activists who want to put the movement<\/b> back in the labor movement since 1979.<\/p>\n Current Affairs<\/strong><\/a> is an American bimonthly magazine that discusses political and cultural topics from a left-wing perspective.<\/p>\n Bill McKibben on Substack<\/strong><\/a>: One of the founders of Third Act, McKibben also writes for the New Yorker, the Guardian, and other progressive publications.<\/p>\n The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook<\/strong><\/a>: from Scot Nakagawa, senior partner at Change Lab, an organizer, activist, cultural worker, and political writer.\u00a0 His primary work has been in the fight against vigilante white supremacist groups, white nationalism, Nativism, and authoritarian evangelical political movements.<\/p>\n Foreign Policy<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n The Nation<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0A monthly magazine founded by abolitionists in 1865. Home to tenacious muckraking, provocative commentary, and spirited debate about politics and culture,\u00a0The Nation\u00a0<\/i>empowers readers to fight for justice and equality. The Nation<\/em> also hosts a podcast called Fighting Fascism<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Bulwark<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 Analysis and reporting on politics and culture in America underpinned by a common commitment to democracy and social liberalism. Subscription only.<\/p>\n Drop Site News<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 Completely independent journalism dedicated to principles of accuracy and accountability.<\/p>\n +972 Magazine<\/strong><\/a> An independent, online, nonprofit magazine run by a group of Palestinian and Israeli journalists. Founded in 2010, their mission is to provide in-depth reporting, analysis, and opinions from the ground in Israel-Palestine.<\/p>\n Hammer & Hope<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0A magazine of black politics and culture.<\/p>\n More Perfect Union<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n Al-Jazeera English<\/strong><\/a> Known for its in-depth and frontline reporting particularly in conflict zones. Outstanding and truthful reporting on conflicts in Israel and Ukraine.<\/p>\n Heather Cox Richardson<\/strong> (Substack)<\/a>: “This is a chronicle of today\u2019s political landscape, but because you can\u2019t get a grip on today\u2019s politics without an outline of America\u2019s Constitution, and laws, and the economy, and social customs, this newsletter explores what it means, and what it has meant, to be an American.” Check out her new Youtube Channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Conversation US<\/strong><\/a>: A nonprofit, independent news organization dedicated to unlocking the knowledge of experts for the public good.<\/p>\n Popular Information (Substack)<\/strong><\/a>: Daily news and analysis that respects you as a citizen. You won\u2019t just learn about who is up and who is down. You\u2019ll get in-depth information and perspective on the things that really matter.<\/p>\n The American Prospect<\/strong><\/a>: Devoted to promoting informed discussion on public policy from a progressive perspective. In print and online, the Prospect<\/em> brings a narrative, journalistic approach to complex issues, addressing the policy alternatives and the politics necessary to create good legislation.<\/p>\n The Contrarian<\/strong><\/a>: 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.<\/p>\n Today’s Edition<\/strong><\/a>: 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.<\/p>\n Yale Climate Connections<\/strong><\/a> is a news service that helps you understand the reality of climate change and what you can do about it.<\/p>\n Democracy, People, Climate and the Planet Substack<\/a><\/strong>. From our own Third Act Writers Working Group. Are you a writer? Check them out.<\/p>\n News from the States<\/a><\/strong>: Journalists across the country report the latest news about data center plans and regulations from every state, every day. No paywall; all material open-source.<\/p>\n Portland’s local radio station<\/p><\/blockquote>\n KBOO FM<\/strong><\/a> Since 1968 has been an independent, truth-seeking and community building resource in Portland. It carries many excellent nationally syndicated shows and locally produced ones that embody the values and vision for a world rooted in justice and equality.<\/p>\n Video channels for news and information:<\/p><\/blockquote>\n CBC nightly news \u201cThe National\u201d<\/strong><\/a> The flagship of CBC News, showcasing award-winning journalism from across Canada and around the world.<\/p>\n Indivisible<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Robert Reich<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Zeteo<\/a><\/strong> is a media organization on Substack founded by Mehdi Hasan, Guardian<\/em> columnist and host of the show “Head to Head” on Aljazeera English<\/em>. Zeteo is a movement for media accountability, and unfiltered news. You can also find Zeteo on Youtube<\/a>.<\/p>\n Democracy Now<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Heather Cox Richardson<\/strong><\/a> on Youtube, hosted by the popular writer and historian, features commentary and interviews.<\/p>\n The Guardian<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n—
\nU.S. political advertising spend jumped by nearly a third in 2024 over the previous U.S. presidential election year, with TV media again taking a lion’s share of the 12 billion dollars spent, according to a report by research firm Insider Intelligence<\/em>.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n