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.
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.
Reposted by Victor Pickard
My latest column in Prospect: Don't worry about AI video destroying democracy. AI's destruction of the journalism business is a much more serious threat: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/techno...
Chatbots and deepfakes are eroding our shared reality
With Trump et al using AI slop for political gain, fact-checking and civic journalism are more vital than ever
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
October 31, 2025 at 4:25 PM
My latest column in Prospect: Don't worry about AI video destroying democracy. AI's destruction of the journalism business is a much more serious threat: www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/techno...
Reposted by Victor Pickard
this is nuts. Republicans attempting to get rid of liberal state Supreme Court justices in PA are sending a mailer accusing them of drawing the gerrymandered map that REPUBLICANS THEMSELVES drew in 2011 www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/09...
PA Supreme Court mailer uses misleading redistricting claims
The PAC behind the misleading mailer is part of a network connected to PA's richest person. The goal: convince voters to reject new terms for three PA Supreme Court justices.
www.spotlightpa.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:51 PM
this is nuts. Republicans attempting to get rid of liberal state Supreme Court justices in PA are sending a mailer accusing them of drawing the gerrymandered map that REPUBLICANS THEMSELVES drew in 2011 www.spotlightpa.org/news/2025/09...
Reposted by Victor Pickard
"create “public media centers”—publicly-owned hubs in every community federally guaranteed but locally governed+democratically operated. establish new anchor institutions universally available to everyone—not unlike the ideal version of public schools+libraries."
publici.ucimc.org/2025/10/the-...
publici.ucimc.org/2025/10/the-...
The Media We Need Requires Structural Transformation | Public i Contact
publici.ucimc.org
October 30, 2025 at 3:25 PM
"create “public media centers”—publicly-owned hubs in every community federally guaranteed but locally governed+democratically operated. establish new anchor institutions universally available to everyone—not unlike the ideal version of public schools+libraries."
publici.ucimc.org/2025/10/the-...
publici.ucimc.org/2025/10/the-...
Reposted by Victor Pickard
In my current work, whenever I refer to the model of a "Public Media Center"--a multi-media, publicly-owned local news outlet--being established in every community across the country, I'm inspired by the actually-existing UCIMC. I describe some of this in the essay: publici.ucimc.org/2025/10/the-...
The Media We Need Requires Structural Transformation | Public i Contact
publici.ucimc.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:54 PM
In my current work, whenever I refer to the model of a "Public Media Center"--a multi-media, publicly-owned local news outlet--being established in every community across the country, I'm inspired by the actually-existing UCIMC. I describe some of this in the essay: publici.ucimc.org/2025/10/the-...
Reposted by Victor Pickard
"Truly democratic and engaged journalism requires...that journalism serves not just profit imperatives, but addresses people’s needs, tells their stories, and goes to where the silences are throughout society."
As Americans' trust in the media declines, a 🎯 take on how we can restore trust.
As Americans' trust in the media declines, a 🎯 take on how we can restore trust.
My recent essay published by the the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center's (UCIMC) Public i. The UCIMC celebrated its 25th anniversary this past weekend: publici.ucimc.org/2025/10/the-...
The Media We Need Requires Structural Transformation | Public i Contact
publici.ucimc.org
October 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM
"Truly democratic and engaged journalism requires...that journalism serves not just profit imperatives, but addresses people’s needs, tells their stories, and goes to where the silences are throughout society."
As Americans' trust in the media declines, a 🎯 take on how we can restore trust.
As Americans' trust in the media declines, a 🎯 take on how we can restore trust.
Reposted by Victor Pickard
As @deanbaker13.bsky.social @victorpickard.bsky.social &others have noted, the same issue occurs for news&journalism—also a public good for a similar reason. Part of the collapse of US journalism is the internet broke up natural local ad monopolies, and consumers alone will never pick up the slack.
October 30, 2025 at 12:07 AM
As @deanbaker13.bsky.social @victorpickard.bsky.social &others have noted, the same issue occurs for news&journalism—also a public good for a similar reason. Part of the collapse of US journalism is the internet broke up natural local ad monopolies, and consumers alone will never pick up the slack.
My recent essay published by the the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center's (UCIMC) Public i. The UCIMC celebrated its 25th anniversary this past weekend: publici.ucimc.org/2025/10/the-...
The Media We Need Requires Structural Transformation | Public i Contact
publici.ucimc.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:30 PM
My recent essay published by the the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center's (UCIMC) Public i. The UCIMC celebrated its 25th anniversary this past weekend: publici.ucimc.org/2025/10/the-...
Reposted by Victor Pickard
Someone asked me the other day*:
How do we replace all the science that’s being lost across the US as NIH, NSF etc are being lawlessly destroyed?
The answer is: we cannot. It is impossible.
The task now is to defend #NIH and public funding for medical research.
1/ 🧪 #neuroscience
How do we replace all the science that’s being lost across the US as NIH, NSF etc are being lawlessly destroyed?
The answer is: we cannot. It is impossible.
The task now is to defend #NIH and public funding for medical research.
1/ 🧪 #neuroscience
October 29, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Someone asked me the other day*:
How do we replace all the science that’s being lost across the US as NIH, NSF etc are being lawlessly destroyed?
The answer is: we cannot. It is impossible.
The task now is to defend #NIH and public funding for medical research.
1/ 🧪 #neuroscience
How do we replace all the science that’s being lost across the US as NIH, NSF etc are being lawlessly destroyed?
The answer is: we cannot. It is impossible.
The task now is to defend #NIH and public funding for medical research.
1/ 🧪 #neuroscience
Reposted by Victor Pickard
The Trump administration has a rainy day fund that will keep SNAP from expiring in November. Trump is refusing to use it.
Funding SNAP isn't a choice he can make. It's a legal obligation. USDA must release the funds and stop punishing the American people.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
Funding SNAP isn't a choice he can make. It's a legal obligation. USDA must release the funds and stop punishing the American people.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
Dozens of States Sue Trump Administration Over Planned Food Stamp Cuts
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 11:21 PM
The Trump administration has a rainy day fund that will keep SNAP from expiring in November. Trump is refusing to use it.
Funding SNAP isn't a choice he can make. It's a legal obligation. USDA must release the funds and stop punishing the American people.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
Funding SNAP isn't a choice he can make. It's a legal obligation. USDA must release the funds and stop punishing the American people.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
Reposted by Victor Pickard
Once again, the main day of Tea Party protests had about 300,000 nationwide, but saw endless coverage.
The No Kings protests had about 7,000,000 nationwide, and many media outlets reacted with a yawn.
No Kings was nearly 25x as big as the Tea Party but the Tea Party got 25x the attention.
The No Kings protests had about 7,000,000 nationwide, and many media outlets reacted with a yawn.
No Kings was nearly 25x as big as the Tea Party but the Tea Party got 25x the attention.
Ask yourself this: How would the New York Times have covered the protests if it had been seven million MAGA supporters flooding the streets? We don’t even have to guess: We know how they and other mainstream outlets covered the Tea Party protests during Obama’s first term.
October 26, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Once again, the main day of Tea Party protests had about 300,000 nationwide, but saw endless coverage.
The No Kings protests had about 7,000,000 nationwide, and many media outlets reacted with a yawn.
No Kings was nearly 25x as big as the Tea Party but the Tea Party got 25x the attention.
The No Kings protests had about 7,000,000 nationwide, and many media outlets reacted with a yawn.
No Kings was nearly 25x as big as the Tea Party but the Tea Party got 25x the attention.