I want you to pay attention to independent media and seek out news sources that you know you can trust. Here are a few of the independent media outlets that I trust.

View in browser ([link removed] )

NL-Header_DD-Premium2 ([link removed] )

September 20, 2025

In 1952, Lucille Ball did something scandalous: she got pregnant. At the time, CBS forbade the use of the word “pregnant.” As a result, her character Lucy Ricardo wasn’t pregnant with a child. She was expecting a child.

Times have changed. Television certainly has. As we have grown and evolved as a society, what has been deemed “acceptable” on our entertainment networks has changed along with it.

None of this is possible without media, entertainers and the American people pushing the boundaries on what we deem appropriate and what we want to see. In the early 1960s comedian Lenny Bruce was repeatedly arrested for what he said during his performances — including once for using the term “schmuck.”

Then, in 1972, George Carlin’s “seven dirty words” routine led to the FCC v. Pacifica Foundation decision that determined the Federal Communications Commission has substantial powers over controlling indecency in broadcasting, which is less protected by the First Amendment.

It was just over 10 years later that FCC Chairman Mark Fowler, who served on President Ronald Reagan’s campaign staff, released a report that the Fairness Doctrine didn’t serve the public interest and violated the First Amendment. After an FCC panel voted to repeal the doctrine, Reagan vetoed Congress’s effort to reinstate it.

With the Fairness Doctrine gone and done with, America watched the rise of Rush Limbaugh and conservative talk radio, which led to the rise of Fox News, which led to the rise of the right-wing media landscape as we know it today.

You might wonder why I am telling you this history. It is for an important reason...

You’re reading a shortened premium newsletter from Democracy Docket founder Marc Elias — in this edition, Marc lists the independent news outlets he trusts and why they're critical to rely on in this moment.

Have you been meaning to upgrade? Join 50,000+ members in supporting independent, pro-democracy media. ([link removed] )

SUPPORT PRO-DEMOCRACY MEDIA
([link removed] )

Facebook ([link removed] )

X ([link removed] )

Instagram ([link removed] )

Bluesky_Logo-grey (2) ([link removed] )

YouTube ([link removed] )

Website ([link removed] )

TikTok ([link removed] )

We also understand that not everyone is able to make this commitment, which is why our free daily and weekly newsletters aren’t going anywhere! If you prefer not to receive samples of our premium content and only want our free daily and weekly newsletters, you can manage your preferences ([link removed] ) or unsubscribe ([link removed] ) .

Donate ([link removed] )

Democracy Docket, LLC

250 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 400

Washington, D.C., 20009