Defeat Fascism With These Paywall-Free, Fact-Based National Newsrooms
We can defeat the fascists by flooding the zone with facts.
TL;DR: You’re already a fact-warrior committed to spreading fact-based information every second of every day? Scroll down to the list and share this article with the yet-to-be-converted!
The fascist billionaires of the American right are having their moment. They have finally succeeded in turning one third of the country against democracy. But it took them 50 years and billions of dollars to do it. They had to establish hundreds of think tanks, create propaganda rags, cable channels, and alternative social media platforms, dominate the rural radio dial, send millions of pieces of direct mail, engineer astroturf campaigns like the Tea Party, Moms For Liberty, and Turning Point USA, and successfully weaponize moral panics about obscure topics like Critical Race Theory in order to bend American brains.
The reality is that the fascist billionaires are weak. The majority rejects their ideas and their power only comes from the resources they have to create toxic media. For decades, their main strategy has been to consistently flood our information ecosystem with propaganda designed to manipulate society into adopting their extremism. Yes, the internet has allowed them to do even more of this. But the internet has also democratized the information space. All of us now have the ability to widely disseminate information. Our power comes from human resources. If enough of us come together, we can undo the fascists’ handiwork overnight.
The Information War Is Over, If You Want It
All it will take for Americans to undo our manufactured tilt towards extremism is to pull a Reverse Uno on the flood the zone strategy. Patriotic Americans must equip themselves with a fact-based and pro-democracy media diet and then force it upon every other American in the same way the right-wing think tanks have forced toxic bullshit on our society for decades.
US adults spend 2 hours on social media every day. If fifteen minutes of that time was spent spreading fact-based, pro-democracy messaging—reposting across all platforms—it’s game over for fascism. Because high-information voters don’t choose fascism. Americans who knew more facts about the world when voting in 2024 overwhelmingly selected for the non-fascist candidate.
Your marching orders are to turn your friends and loved ones into high-information voters. When they are low (information), we make them high (information)! Flood the zone with facts!
Flawed, Free, and Fact-Based Is The Starting Point
There is lots to criticize about the ways in which some of the outlets below have normalized Trump’s extremism. But in this urgent moment our primary goal must be getting Americans in front of as many verifiable facts as possible.
Only 20% of Americans pay for any kind of news. Paywalls are a major barrier to folks finding and spreading fact-based information. They are also a major boon to the propagandist, as most people will turn to whatever is free when looking to inform themselves. Right-wing media never puts up a paywall because propaganda works best when everyone can see it. Some manipulation outlets like The Daily Caller are even heavily subsidized by right-wing megadonors like the Koch brothers, DonorsTrust, and Richard Uihlein.
So, to put a quick end to the Information War—by overwhelming fascist propaganda with facts,—we must first start with fact-based national news outlets that are free to consume. Add them to your media diet. Choose one article a day and blast it all across your social media.
And, if you can, donate to these outlets!
Here’s your essential list of paywall-free, reliable journalism:
ProPublica ProPublica leads the charge in investigative journalism. Funded entirely by donations and grants, their stories expose systemic corruption, inequality, and abuses of power. Their work has forced policy changes, spurred criminal investigations, and repeatedly defended public interests.
The Associated Press (AP) As one of the world’s largest and most respected news agencies, AP consistently provides straightforward and factual reporting. Readers can access breaking news and detailed reports directly via their website and mobile app.
NPR National Public Radio remains a steady beacon for fact-driven journalism. Though its political analysis can suffer from false equivalency, their stories and podcasts remain accessible.
Reuters Known globally for accuracy, Reuters offers breaking news, in-depth reporting, and powerful international coverage. Reuters continues to offer core news services online without paywalls.
PBS NewsHour NewsHour consistently provides high-quality journalism without cost barriers. Funded by viewers and charitable organizations, their mission explicitly focuses on public service, offering extensive nightly broadcasts and robust digital content.
The Guardian Notably independent and committed to pro-democracy journalism, The Guardian provides award-winning investigative reporting and comprehensive news without paywalls, funded largely by reader contributions.
Democracy Now! Fiercely independent, Democracy Now! offers daily broadcasts featuring international reporting and investigative journalism, entirely supported by listeners and viewers.
KFF Health News Formerly known as Kaiser Health News, KFF Health News delivers deeply reported journalism focused on health policy, public health, and care systems in the U.S. All of its work is freely available to the public and republishable under Creative Commons, making it a vital resource for accessible health coverage.
More Perfect Union More Perfect Union blends investigative journalism with compelling video storytelling to expose corporate abuses, labor issues, and economic inequality. All of their work is freely available to readers and viewers, supported by grassroots donors and activists committed to justice and reform.
Democracy depends on informed citizens, and informed citizens rely on accessible, fact-based journalism. These paywall-free newsrooms embody the essential principle that facts and expertise should never be restricted by financial barriers. In an era dominated by toxic disinformation, these outlets serve as vital sources for maintaining an informed public ready to defend democracy.
Remember, fascism only exists where propaganda is strong. Make propaganda weak again. Dilute it with facts, baby!
For a Public Enlightenment approved feed of national news that is pro-democracy and fact-based, check out this article all about our Bluesky Lists. It’s really easy to sign up for Bluesky and get all the news you need in just 20 minutes a day. Has science proved that? No. But you can try and see how it works for you.
Public Enlightenment provides the context we need to understand the news. When you sign up as a subscriber or pledge a paid subscription, you're agreeing that we’re in this mess because of our toxic information ecosystem. You know that we must fight like hell to improve everyone’s media diet. Every single day.
Click below to help me keep up the fight for better outcomes for everyone!
Here’s to healthier information,
Brian
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I livestream every weekday afternoon on TikTok (3:30pm ET) about media, democracy, love, and joy. You can also see my videos about information nutrition on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. and easily access fact-based, pro-democracy news sources using the Lists on my Bluesky. Every like, follow, repost, and subscribe helps me continue the work of providing you with ways to improve our information ecosystem so that we all achieve healthier outcomes.
I appreciate your position that we can't blame the internet. This does nothing to speak to the reality we live in and how information is shared. We have to leverage the tools already in place and - as you say - flood the zone with facts!
such a great resource. and most are seen as legit by people on both sides. thank you!!!