Democracy and politics

Witnessing a crisis from the middle of the road

Back when Jim Hightower said that there was “nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead armadillos” — feel free to insert your own, region-appropriate road kill — he was explaining his politics, not enumerating a census of the mid-asphalt region. But in 2025, dead armadillos can find a lot of company in the middle of the road.

^{Jan. 29, 2026}

When democracy and capitalism collide

In 1987, the Reagan administration achieved a long-sought goal of the American right: It won the war against fairness in broadcasting. What followed was both unexpected — and totally predictable.

^{Dec. 17, 2025}

The world, but not the U.S., is talking about climate change

It was years ago: a newsroom colleague asked me if I found it hard to balance the scientific consensus on climate change with the fractious political debate, when I was editor of an environment and energy news service for years. No.

^{Nov. 19, 2025}

Too many frogs to count

Millions of Americans gathered in thousands of cities and towns this past weekend to call for the restoration of democracy in the United States, and if you weren’t there, you still probably heard about it, since it was the lead story on news sites across the country. Except at the New York Times.

^{Oct. 21, 2025}

ABC News caved under Trump’s pressure; will others follow?

Owners of the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times both killed plans by their editorial boards to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris to be president. Now ABC News is in Donald Trump’s legal crosshairs.

^{April 11, 2025}

Which campaign is it, anyway?

The New York Times and Politico are providing the conventional horse-race election coverage you might expect — the former authoritative and the latter more smirky and gossipy. But a growing number of highly regarded journalists and academics are imploring their colleagues to tell their audiences what’s at stake: the nation’s long commitment to democratic values, shared by only one of the candidates.

^{Sept. 10, 2024}

On democracy: The New York Times and its critics

Kathryn Schulz’s book “Being Wrong” is a wonderful exploration of human error. Highly recommended. I’m guessing no one in the New York Times leadership ever read it.

^{May 14, 2024}

If there’s a revolution, will we hear about it?

“The revolution will not be televised.” — Gil Scott-Heron 
And, it turns out, it may not get much coverage on your favorite news site, either.

^{Oct. 12, 2021}

What if the press delivered the news people actually need?

Despite the recent election-driven revenue gains for the largest organizations, the landscape facing the news media remains perilous. Saddled with a teetering business model, a skeptical public and a hostile president, the press is groping for a clear path to the future.

^{Feb. 17, 2017}