Victor Pickard
@victorpickard.bsky.social
Professor who writes about the history and political economy of media, politics of media policy, and democratic theories of journalism. Author of "Democracy Without Journalism? Confronting the Misinformation Society." Co-director of the MIC Center at Penn.
Pinned
Victor Pickard
@victorpickard.bsky.social
· Apr 15
We Must Save Public Media to Change It
We need public media more than ever—it’s too precious to let Trump defund it. But to live up to its democratic promise, we must support public media to serve our needs.
www.thenation.com
New piece in The Nation arguing that we need public media more now than ever. We must defend what we have with an eye toward expanding and restructuring public media in the future.
I've always appreciated this proposal first articulated by @deanbaker13.bsky.social (also championed by Bob McChesney over the years). It's a way to publicly finance local journalism from the bottom up. Should definitely be part of the conversation.
Here's my idea, an individual tax credit modeled on the charitable contribution tax deduction www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Billionaires Won’t Save Local News. Here’s What Will.
Praying for beneficent tycoons is not the answer. We need the government to step up.
www.thenation.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I've always appreciated this proposal first articulated by @deanbaker13.bsky.social (also championed by Bob McChesney over the years). It's a way to publicly finance local journalism from the bottom up. Should definitely be part of the conversation.
Reposted by Victor Pickard
This was a fantastic event -- bringing the FCC (at least the non-corrupt portion of it) to the people. Was so great to hear from not only Commissioner Gomez but also a wide range of local media makers & their essential community-focused work. We must publicly fund these orgs for democracy's sake!
What a great night.
Commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social: "Free Expression is non-negotiable. It marks the line between freedom and repression. Therefore, we must defend it without compromise."
Catch her remarks and the full event here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JJ0...
Commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social: "Free Expression is non-negotiable. It marks the line between freedom and repression. Therefore, we must defend it without compromise."
Catch her remarks and the full event here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JJ0...
November 14, 2025 at 7:46 PM
This was a fantastic event -- bringing the FCC (at least the non-corrupt portion of it) to the people. Was so great to hear from not only Commissioner Gomez but also a wide range of local media makers & their essential community-focused work. We must publicly fund these orgs for democracy's sake!
This was a fantastic event -- bringing the FCC (at least the non-corrupt portion of it) to the people. Was so great to hear from not only Commissioner Gomez but also a wide range of local media makers & their essential community-focused work. We must publicly fund these orgs for democracy's sake!
What a great night.
Commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social: "Free Expression is non-negotiable. It marks the line between freedom and repression. Therefore, we must defend it without compromise."
Catch her remarks and the full event here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JJ0...
Commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social: "Free Expression is non-negotiable. It marks the line between freedom and repression. Therefore, we must defend it without compromise."
Catch her remarks and the full event here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JJ0...
November 14, 2025 at 7:46 PM
This was a fantastic event -- bringing the FCC (at least the non-corrupt portion of it) to the people. Was so great to hear from not only Commissioner Gomez but also a wide range of local media makers & their essential community-focused work. We must publicly fund these orgs for democracy's sake!
Reposted by Victor Pickard
I’ve just published a new article in the @uk.theconversation.com entitled 'BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands’ Thread 1/8: theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands
The Prescott memo contained no research questions or objectives, method, sample, time frame or, crucially, analytical framework for examining output.
theconversation.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:37 PM
I’ve just published a new article in the @uk.theconversation.com entitled 'BBC bias? The Prescott memo falls well short of the standards of impartiality it demands’ Thread 1/8: theconversation.com/bbc-bias-the...
Reposted by Victor Pickard
So damning and so dangerous. We've long known that Fox News is essentially a right wing propaganda outlet that profits from scaring and enraging its audience, but its symbiotic relationship with the Trump regime takes it to a whole new level.
“Riots Raging”: The Misleading Story Fox News Told About Portland Before Trump Sent Troops
After reviewing coverage from the network and hours of social media videos that preceded Trump’s decision, ProPublica found that Fox’s portrayal of “Portland rioters” routinely instigating violence wa...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:15 PM
So damning and so dangerous. We've long known that Fox News is essentially a right wing propaganda outlet that profits from scaring and enraging its audience, but its symbiotic relationship with the Trump regime takes it to a whole new level.
So damning and so dangerous. We've long known that Fox News is essentially a right wing propaganda outlet that profits from scaring and enraging its audience, but its symbiotic relationship with the Trump regime takes it to a whole new level.
“Riots Raging”: The Misleading Story Fox News Told About Portland Before Trump Sent Troops
After reviewing coverage from the network and hours of social media videos that preceded Trump’s decision, ProPublica found that Fox’s portrayal of “Portland rioters” routinely instigating violence wa...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:15 PM
So damning and so dangerous. We've long known that Fox News is essentially a right wing propaganda outlet that profits from scaring and enraging its audience, but its symbiotic relationship with the Trump regime takes it to a whole new level.
Reposted by Victor Pickard
Tomorrow @freepress.bsky.social hosts @agomezfcc.bsky.social in New Jersey for a community conversation about threats to free speech and local news.
We’re happy to be part of the Commissioner’s First Amendment Tour to Challenge Government Censorship and Control.
We’re happy to be part of the Commissioner’s First Amendment Tour to Challenge Government Censorship and Control.
Local news and freedom of speech across the country are under threat.
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez is the lone dissenting voice at the newly minted Federal *Censorship* Commission. Join Free Prfess with @agomezfcc.bsky.social to discuss the critical crossroads ahead.
RSVP: https://bit.ly/fpnjgomez
FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez is the lone dissenting voice at the newly minted Federal *Censorship* Commission. Join Free Prfess with @agomezfcc.bsky.social to discuss the critical crossroads ahead.
RSVP: https://bit.ly/fpnjgomez
November 12, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Tomorrow @freepress.bsky.social hosts @agomezfcc.bsky.social in New Jersey for a community conversation about threats to free speech and local news.
We’re happy to be part of the Commissioner’s First Amendment Tour to Challenge Government Censorship and Control.
We’re happy to be part of the Commissioner’s First Amendment Tour to Challenge Government Censorship and Control.
Reposted by Victor Pickard
Holy shit, this column from @jamellebouie.net is the whole thing
"They want Grants, not McClellans." www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/o...
Opinion | Democrats Sure Taught Trump a Lesson
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Holy shit, this column from @jamellebouie.net is the whole thing
Reposted by Victor Pickard
Something absolutely perfect about Larry Summers riffing about the scourge of woke cancel culture being unfair to predatory men in a friendly email to his pal JEFFREY EPSTEIN.
November 13, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Something absolutely perfect about Larry Summers riffing about the scourge of woke cancel culture being unfair to predatory men in a friendly email to his pal JEFFREY EPSTEIN.
Reposted by Victor Pickard
fox news right now
November 12, 2025 at 10:50 PM
fox news right now
Reposted by Victor Pickard
Dean Fuleihan has 47 years of experience as an budget expert and counselor to mayors, governors.
Asked if his decision to serve as NYC’s 1st Deputy Mayor signals a belief that Mamdani’s policy goals can be achieved, Fuleihan told The Nation:
“Yes, the answer is ‘yes.’ It’s an unqualified ‘yes!’”
Asked if his decision to serve as NYC’s 1st Deputy Mayor signals a belief that Mamdani’s policy goals can be achieved, Fuleihan told The Nation:
“Yes, the answer is ‘yes.’ It’s an unqualified ‘yes!’”
Can Mamdani Deliver? “Yes! It’s an Unqualified Yes!”
Dean Fuleihan, Mamdani’s incoming first deputy mayor, speaks exclusively about how the mayor-elect will make his agenda a reality.
www.thenation.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Dean Fuleihan has 47 years of experience as an budget expert and counselor to mayors, governors.
Asked if his decision to serve as NYC’s 1st Deputy Mayor signals a belief that Mamdani’s policy goals can be achieved, Fuleihan told The Nation:
“Yes, the answer is ‘yes.’ It’s an unqualified ‘yes!’”
Asked if his decision to serve as NYC’s 1st Deputy Mayor signals a belief that Mamdani’s policy goals can be achieved, Fuleihan told The Nation:
“Yes, the answer is ‘yes.’ It’s an unqualified ‘yes!’”
Reposted by Victor Pickard
Nuremburg trials is the moderate position
He said that the agents would throw food at them to eat. The agents threatened to withhold food for a week and to beat him up if he didn't sign deportation papers. He said he saw others refuse and get beaten/receive no food. He signed because he was afraid.
November 7, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Nuremburg trials is the moderate position
Reposted by Victor Pickard
Attacks on press freedom are devastating newsrooms and leaving communities without reliable local news.
Join @freepress.bsky.social on 11/13 for a conversation with FCC Commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social about the barriers to free speech and local news NJ residents are facing.
buff.ly/3njhEfG
Join @freepress.bsky.social on 11/13 for a conversation with FCC Commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social about the barriers to free speech and local news NJ residents are facing.
buff.ly/3njhEfG
A Critical Crossroads for Free Speech and Local News
Local news and freedom of speech across the country are under threat. Due to federal funding cuts, NPR and PBS affiliates of all sizes have announced that they will need to lay off staff, reduce progr...
streamyard.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Attacks on press freedom are devastating newsrooms and leaving communities without reliable local news.
Join @freepress.bsky.social on 11/13 for a conversation with FCC Commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social about the barriers to free speech and local news NJ residents are facing.
buff.ly/3njhEfG
Join @freepress.bsky.social on 11/13 for a conversation with FCC Commissioner @agomezfcc.bsky.social about the barriers to free speech and local news NJ residents are facing.
buff.ly/3njhEfG
I no longer vote in NY, but I wish I did just to vote against Stefanik.
So Elise Stefanik is running for NY governor. She abandoned every principle she claimed to have in exchange for a seat on the Trump train. Here’s a thread about Stefanik, who is a serial liar, an ally of a Hitler admirer, and an opponent of sharing baby formula with migrant infants. 🧵 1/10
Rep. Elise Stefanik launches run for New York governor
Stefanik, a Republican congresswoman and staunch Trump ally, is challenging Gov. Kathy Hochul — a Democrat.
www.nbcnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:23 PM
I no longer vote in NY, but I wish I did just to vote against Stefanik.
Reposted by Victor Pickard
What happens to communities when there's no reliable local news? Who holds elected officials accountable? How do citizens stay informed? @victorpickard.bsky.social joined WHYY's "Studio 2" to discuss:
Mounting pressure on local news - WHYY
What happens to communities when there's no reliable local news? Who holds elected officials accountable? How do citizens stay informed?
whyy.org
November 7, 2025 at 6:58 PM
What happens to communities when there's no reliable local news? Who holds elected officials accountable? How do citizens stay informed? @victorpickard.bsky.social joined WHYY's "Studio 2" to discuss:
Reposted by Victor Pickard
I think we see once again how ordinary citizens are grappling better with this situation than sundry political and business elites. the jury pretty clearly was like "this is bullshit" www.lawfaremedia.org/article/sand...
Sandwich Guy, Thrower of Hoagie–Or Hero?
The trial ended in an acquittal. But the proceedings felt like a strange sort of performance art—highly amusing and highly menacing at the same time.
www.lawfaremedia.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I think we see once again how ordinary citizens are grappling better with this situation than sundry political and business elites. the jury pretty clearly was like "this is bullshit" www.lawfaremedia.org/article/sand...
Reposted by Victor Pickard
I’ll keep pushing this line of analysis because I’m increasingly convinced the clearest path out of this mess is for Dems to adopt a relentless anti-corruption, anti-inequality, anti-oligarchy, pro-democracy platform. The Dem leadership hasn’t realized it yet, but they’re now a reform party.
November 6, 2025 at 12:06 AM
I’ll keep pushing this line of analysis because I’m increasingly convinced the clearest path out of this mess is for Dems to adopt a relentless anti-corruption, anti-inequality, anti-oligarchy, pro-democracy platform. The Dem leadership hasn’t realized it yet, but they’re now a reform party.
Reposted by Victor Pickard
I curate a series for Current, the journal of public media. We're calling for new pieces. We pay. Your research reaches the entire sector.
Especially at this moment, when noncommercial voices are under attack, research on NPR, PBS, public, community, and educational media is especially prescient.
Especially at this moment, when noncommercial voices are under attack, research on NPR, PBS, public, community, and educational media is especially prescient.
Rewind: The Roots of Public Media
This series features scholars of media history looking back at both familiar and lesser-known chapters in public broadcasting’s evolution. “Rewind” is presented in partnership with the <a href="https:...
current.org
January 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I curate a series for Current, the journal of public media. We're calling for new pieces. We pay. Your research reaches the entire sector.
Especially at this moment, when noncommercial voices are under attack, research on NPR, PBS, public, community, and educational media is especially prescient.
Especially at this moment, when noncommercial voices are under attack, research on NPR, PBS, public, community, and educational media is especially prescient.
Another good one from @hamiltonnolan.bsky.social in @columjournreview.bsky.social. When it comes down to it, many of our leading national media orgs are simply status quo defenders.
Legacy papers have been weird and hostile toward Zohran Mamdani.
The New York City mayoral candidate promises radical change that editorial boards don’t want, even if voters do.
www.cjr.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Another good one from @hamiltonnolan.bsky.social in @columjournreview.bsky.social. When it comes down to it, many of our leading national media orgs are simply status quo defenders.
Nothing to see here. Move along, keep shopping. Never mind the fascism...
Papers like The New York Times increasingly sound ancient.
Like, look at this shit. Right on time as expected.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/o...
Like, look at this shit. Right on time as expected.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/05/o...
Opinion | Mamdani’s Victory Is Less Significant Than You Think
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Nothing to see here. Move along, keep shopping. Never mind the fascism...
A very good sign.
New York City Mayor-elect Mamdani is kicking off with a big move: bringing former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan to co-chair his transition team.
It's a strong suggestion that he’s willing to take on powerful corporate interests as mayor. trib.al/99csETK
It's a strong suggestion that he’s willing to take on powerful corporate interests as mayor. trib.al/99csETK
Mamdani Brings Lina Khan Onto His Team After Historic Election Win
Zohran Mamdani has named his transition team—and it’s amazing.
trib.al
November 5, 2025 at 9:30 PM
A very good sign.
Best political news in a very, very long time.
Breaking News: Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old state lawmaker from Queens, will be the 111th mayor of New York. He will be the first Muslim to ever lead the city, as well as its first South Asian mayor and the youngest mayor in more than a century.
nyti.ms/47O4mT0
nyti.ms/47O4mT0
November 5, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Best political news in a very, very long time.
Reposted by Victor Pickard
All day, many of you have been asking for a Cheney obituary from me. Get ready:
His Works Completed, Dick Cheney, Mass Murderer of Iraqis and American Democracy, Dies
As much as the Trumpists claim to disavow the War on Terror, they walk a path paved by the most powerful vice president in U.S. history.
www.thenation.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:55 PM
All day, many of you have been asking for a Cheney obituary from me. Get ready:
Reposted by Victor Pickard
They fired every Black woman at Teen Vogue and every trans staffer.
It is astonishing watching the American media ecosystem just falling like dominoes, bowing its knees to fascism.
It is astonishing watching the American media ecosystem just falling like dominoes, bowing its knees to fascism.
thank you for all the support; the statement from our union is now live here with some more reporting.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
now that this is public I can confirm that the majority of today’s layoffs were women of color. there are no longer any Black women working at Teen Vogue.
November 4, 2025 at 1:20 AM
They fired every Black woman at Teen Vogue and every trans staffer.
It is astonishing watching the American media ecosystem just falling like dominoes, bowing its knees to fascism.
It is astonishing watching the American media ecosystem just falling like dominoes, bowing its knees to fascism.
Reposted by Victor Pickard
"Economic populism" has become completely divorced from policy. Vance cheered on and supported Trump's "big, beautiful bill," perhaps the most regressive piece of domestic legislation in recent history, featuring tax cuts for the rich and benefit cuts for the poor. He does say "elites" a lot tho.
November 2, 2025 at 5:44 PM
"Economic populism" has become completely divorced from policy. Vance cheered on and supported Trump's "big, beautiful bill," perhaps the most regressive piece of domestic legislation in recent history, featuring tax cuts for the rich and benefit cuts for the poor. He does say "elites" a lot tho.