Dancing in the Dark

Prelude to a Rebirth

Washington DC is without a newspaper tonight.

By the time The Washington Star ceased publication after 129 years in 1981, The Washington Post had climbed the heights of journalistic achievement, from challenging Joseph McCarthy to defeating his love child, Nixon to proving a formidable counter to their spawn, Trump. In the mass die-off of newspapers, Jeff Bezos pretended to protect the essential nature of journalism there. Until he didn’t. In the corrupt pursuit of favor from a mob regime, he has gutted and, in Ashley Parker’s words, murdered the Post.

I believe that the Darkness that descends over US media now, from state propaganda to corporate cowardice, is about to be countered by the need across the spectrum for a new media. Non-profit newsrooms are springing up across the country. And where there is a large hole in places like LA and DC, I believe the vacuum will be filled. There is so much talent and creativity to meet this moment, this will most certainly happen.

It is hard to say goodbye to the old form. But new forms are always in the wings. And now, in the fight against fascism, racism and corrupt pols, the mission is clearer than it has ever been in our lifetimes.

Part of the answer is here on Substack. This paper needs you. Please contribute.

Thanks.