SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
The billionaire industrialist Koch brothers have spent tens of millions for decades on a long-term plan to reshape the legislative, executive, and judicial branches according to a corporate-friendly form, and may now make inroads into what is often referred to as the fourth branch of government: the press.
The New York Timesreports that the Kochs are considering a purchase of the Tribune Company's eight regional newspapers, which would give them control of the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune as well as papers in electoral battleground states.
Newspapers have been losing advertising dollars for years and have never been particularly profitable, so the potential purchase is not about generating revenue. It is instead about controlling the discourse.
A source who attended a major Koch political strategy summit three years ago said the goal "was never 'How do we destroy the other side,' " but instead, "it was 'How do we make sure our voice is being heard?' "
News outlets with an ideological slant are nothing new. But news outlets that act as an arm of a wider operation to reshape the American political landscape means a press that is less "free," and less able to check special interest influence over government.
For years, David and Charles Koch have spent tens of millions "making their voice heard" in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. For example:
The media has often been referred to as the "fourth branch of government" or the "fourth estate:" a reference to the vital role that a free press plays in checking the other three branches of government, regulating and tracking the influence of special interests like the Kochs, and ensuring a well-informed citizenry.
Staffers at the newspapers eyed by the Kochs are worried about the brothers eliminating this watchdog role in favor of "using a major news media as a vehicle for their political voice." And that would be bad news for those communities the papers serve.
By the Kochs extending their tentacles into the fourth estate, they can significantly expand their relative power and influence, particularly by controlling an institution that might expose their efforts to manipulate the other three branches. And by expanding their control over the press the Kochs could have even more power to reshape the American political landscape.
Trump and Musk are on an unconstitutional rampage, aiming for virtually every corner of the federal government. These two right-wing billionaires are targeting nurses, scientists, teachers, daycare providers, judges, veterans, air traffic controllers, and nuclear safety inspectors. No one is safe. The food stamps program, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are next. It’s an unprecedented disaster and a five-alarm fire, but there will be a reckoning. The people did not vote for this. The American people do not want this dystopian hellscape that hides behind claims of “efficiency.” Still, in reality, it is all a giveaway to corporate interests and the libertarian dreams of far-right oligarchs like Musk. Common Dreams is playing a vital role by reporting day and night on this orgy of corruption and greed, as well as what everyday people can do to organize and fight back. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover issues the corporate media never will, but we can only continue with our readers’ support. |
The billionaire industrialist Koch brothers have spent tens of millions for decades on a long-term plan to reshape the legislative, executive, and judicial branches according to a corporate-friendly form, and may now make inroads into what is often referred to as the fourth branch of government: the press.
The New York Timesreports that the Kochs are considering a purchase of the Tribune Company's eight regional newspapers, which would give them control of the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune as well as papers in electoral battleground states.
Newspapers have been losing advertising dollars for years and have never been particularly profitable, so the potential purchase is not about generating revenue. It is instead about controlling the discourse.
A source who attended a major Koch political strategy summit three years ago said the goal "was never 'How do we destroy the other side,' " but instead, "it was 'How do we make sure our voice is being heard?' "
News outlets with an ideological slant are nothing new. But news outlets that act as an arm of a wider operation to reshape the American political landscape means a press that is less "free," and less able to check special interest influence over government.
For years, David and Charles Koch have spent tens of millions "making their voice heard" in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. For example:
The media has often been referred to as the "fourth branch of government" or the "fourth estate:" a reference to the vital role that a free press plays in checking the other three branches of government, regulating and tracking the influence of special interests like the Kochs, and ensuring a well-informed citizenry.
Staffers at the newspapers eyed by the Kochs are worried about the brothers eliminating this watchdog role in favor of "using a major news media as a vehicle for their political voice." And that would be bad news for those communities the papers serve.
By the Kochs extending their tentacles into the fourth estate, they can significantly expand their relative power and influence, particularly by controlling an institution that might expose their efforts to manipulate the other three branches. And by expanding their control over the press the Kochs could have even more power to reshape the American political landscape.
The billionaire industrialist Koch brothers have spent tens of millions for decades on a long-term plan to reshape the legislative, executive, and judicial branches according to a corporate-friendly form, and may now make inroads into what is often referred to as the fourth branch of government: the press.
The New York Timesreports that the Kochs are considering a purchase of the Tribune Company's eight regional newspapers, which would give them control of the Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune as well as papers in electoral battleground states.
Newspapers have been losing advertising dollars for years and have never been particularly profitable, so the potential purchase is not about generating revenue. It is instead about controlling the discourse.
A source who attended a major Koch political strategy summit three years ago said the goal "was never 'How do we destroy the other side,' " but instead, "it was 'How do we make sure our voice is being heard?' "
News outlets with an ideological slant are nothing new. But news outlets that act as an arm of a wider operation to reshape the American political landscape means a press that is less "free," and less able to check special interest influence over government.
For years, David and Charles Koch have spent tens of millions "making their voice heard" in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. For example:
The media has often been referred to as the "fourth branch of government" or the "fourth estate:" a reference to the vital role that a free press plays in checking the other three branches of government, regulating and tracking the influence of special interests like the Kochs, and ensuring a well-informed citizenry.
Staffers at the newspapers eyed by the Kochs are worried about the brothers eliminating this watchdog role in favor of "using a major news media as a vehicle for their political voice." And that would be bad news for those communities the papers serve.
By the Kochs extending their tentacles into the fourth estate, they can significantly expand their relative power and influence, particularly by controlling an institution that might expose their efforts to manipulate the other three branches. And by expanding their control over the press the Kochs could have even more power to reshape the American political landscape.