Robert W. McChesney, a prominent left-leaning media critic, passed away on March 25 at the age of 72 due to glioblastoma. Throughout his career, McChesney argued that corporate ownership of news media and the dominance of Silicon Valley billionaires in online information posed a threat to democracy. He believed that the consolidation in journalism and the profit-driven nature of capitalism were negatively impacting the quality of news coverage and limiting democratic discourse.
McChesney’s works, including “Rich Media, Poor Democracy” and “Digital Disconnect: How Capitalism Is Turning the Internet Against Democracy,” emphasized the need for a more diverse and civic-minded media landscape. He criticized the mainstream media’s biased coverage of political candidates and called for greater access to information for all citizens.
As an unapologetic socialist, McChesney advocated for government intervention in the media industry, suggesting initiatives such as giving Americans vouchers to support nonprofit news outlets. He co-authored books like “Dollarocracy” and “People Get Ready” to raise awareness about the influence of money and technology on democracy.
McChesney was also a co-founder of Free Press, a public interest group advocating for net neutrality and opposing corporate consolidation in the news business. He received recognition for his contributions to media criticism and was both praised as a visionary by Utne Reader and criticized as a dangerous academic by conservative commentators.
Through his scholarship and activism, McChesney made a lasting impact on media studies and public discourse about the role of journalism in a democratic society. He leaves behind a legacy of advocating for a more inclusive and informed media environment.
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