How a great nonprofit news organization would cover national politics

Press Watch

01/12/2025

Imagine a national nonprofit news organization with a singular mission: To fully inform the electorate.

How would it operate differently than our commercial news organizations, which have failed so miserably?

I see four major differences. My ideal newsroom – freed of the obligation to chase advertisers and subscription dollars — would be:

• Accessible. It would meet voters where they are, on a variety of platforms, would speak to them simply and directly, and would be free to all.
• Explanatory. It would take the time to define terms, explain processes, and unpack key issues. It would be unafraid of repetition.
• Committed to fighting disinformation. It would identify lies, track their spread, and fight the right-wing disinformation machine.
• Crusading. It would be an aggressive advocate for the citizenry, proudly populist, and unafraid to antagonize the powerful.