John,

Anger. Sadness. Fear. Frustration.

If Donald Trump’s victory this week left you feeling any of these emotions toward our politics or the legacy media that cover it, we’re right there with you.

We know that many of you are feeling worried right now. We encourage everyone to take a moment to process what his victory means for our country and the values we hold dear.

In the meantime, we wanted to share COURIER’s Mark Jacob’s powerful Substack post, written the day after Election Day.

Mark’s message is one of defiance and resilience, and we hope it offers you some inspiration for the fight ahead.

If you have a moment, please read Mark’s message below. And if you’re able, please consider donating $25 or whatever you can to help us continue our mission in this critical time. [[link removed]]

In solidarity,
The COURIER Team

The fascists want us to shut up. Don’t.

Amid the cowardice of legacy media, let’s find brave journalists and support them.

The Guardian’s headline read: “Donald Trump defeats Kamala Harris to become the first convicted criminal to be elected U.S. president.”

We’ll have to see how long the Guardian keeps its press credentials after Trump takes power.

We’ll also have to see if any other mainstream outlets will be as bold as the Guardian in telling the truth about Trump. The TV networks and newspapers know that they may face government harassment if they criticize him. Retribution is his brand, and they know it.

The coming months and years will be a roll call for fearless journalists, and we don’t know how many will answer. But as we enter an era of deepening national madness, there will be essential stories to tell.

Trump plans to appoint corrupt figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to key positions and establish a Putin-style oligarchy. He vows to round up immigrants, put them in camps, and deport them—creating widespread suffering. His election endorses the second-class status of women, people of color, and trans people.

In Trump’s dictatorship, there will be many victims to interview. But will there be journalists willing to do so?

Or will we see a journalism of avoidance and distraction?

This election highlighted the power of mass media. But it was the power to misinform. Right-wing propaganda from Trump and Fox News convinced Americans that our economy was failing, that their kids were at risk of being “indoctrinated” in school, and that immigrants posed a violent threat.

The truth was drowned out. The truth-tellers failed us.

The responsible media neglected their duty to help the public understand facts. Instead of challenging the liars, they often treated lies as just another viewpoint. Major outlets normalized fascist misconduct and minimized the threat to our democracy. On Sunday shows, the same Republican liars were given platforms to deceive again and again.

Legacy media allowed right-wing propagandists to create an alternative reality. They did nothing to reach those trapped in a bubble of disinformation, choosing profit over public interest. The Washington Post , Los Angeles Times , and USA Today took the cowardly route, avoiding endorsements that might anger Trump.

Support Independent Journalism [[link removed]]

Now that Trump has his mandate, there’s little reason to believe those outlets will suddenly find their courage.

Look for Trump to welcome media moguls to Mar-a-Lago to bend the knee. He already has Elon Musk as a disinformation ally, and Mark Zuckerberg has retreated to the safe ground of downplaying political content on his platforms.

The New York Times faces a choice. It can oppose Trump and become a punching bag for his administration, or remain detached from the fight for democracy, burying internment camps under euphemisms like “involuntary gathering sites.”

Our hope lies with the independent press, especially nonprofit outlets like ProPublica . In an era when legacy media have failed us, independent media have offered a lifeline. We need to support these outlets with our money and our passion. Read The New Republic . Read Meidas Touch . Read COURIER —and more.

We must keep posting on social media, speaking out about politics and injustice. We cannot ignore the disaster of these times. We must address it, or risk losing everything.

Let’s stay connected through digital startups, newsletters, and independent platforms, beyond the interference of people like Elon Musk.

The fascists want us to accept the loss of our rights and the persecution of our fellow human beings.

Which is why we must keep speaking up.

And we won’t stop.

Donate ➡️ [[link removed]]

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