By Hannah Saunders

The first four years were a trial run. Seven months into Trump’s second term, and we’ve entered the normalization period of fascism. He’s ignored judicial orders and repeatedly violated the constitution through acts like ordering his very own Gestapo— ICE agents— to kidnap and disappear people in broad daylight, and has undermined or flat-out ignored the rule of law. Caught in the midst of it all is what rests at the core of democracy: journalism. It informs communities, acts as a watchdog for society by holding institutions and people in positions of power accountable, and amplifies diverse voices. 

Some larger-scale outlets are attempting to keep democracy alive, like Courier Newsroom and the Atlantic, while smaller independent outlets like The Burner Seattle sprout up in resistance, gaining strong footing in a rapidly-altering news cycle meant to overwhelm an already strained profession. 

Most Americans consume broadcast media, which is heavily dominated by a select few that can lead to abuses of journalism principles, like prioritizing personal interests, issuing biased reporting, and even stomping out the sparks that ignite thoughtful conversations about the realities of living in the US. 

Consolidation and the death of print outlets in recent decades, mixed with a handful of large media conglomerates with amassed influence, have created a regurgitation of reporting,   intentionally and unintentionally suppressing the voices of many Americans. Due to this small ownership pool combined with other factors, like personal financial gain, Trump’s fascist regime has seeped through the already frail seams of journalistic ethics—but history remembers. 

Journalism’s roots

“Publick Occurrences, Both Foreign and Domestic” was the first published paper in the US, and while it was shortly shut down by the governor of Massachusetts after its 1690 launch in Boston, it was a pioneer in the formation of the news industry. Founded in 1704 was “The Boston News-Letter,” and it’s pegged as the first continuously published newspaper in the nation, lasting until just shortly after the start of the American Revolutionary War. Publisher and journalist Bartholomew Green made it pro-British from the get-go: it supported loyalist perspectives and was reviewed by the Royal Governor before hitting the printing press.

During that time, the British monarchy sought further control and oppression over colonists and imposed unpopular taxes, leading to historic events like the Boston Tea Party. But up popped one publication that pushed back against attacks by pro-British outlets and united Patriots without encouraging rebellion— the “Massachusetts Spy.”

Journalism played a critical role in promoting independence and democracy at that time, ultimately contributing to the formation of the US through the access to information and collective beliefs, but it also worked as propaganda to maintain British monarchical control. 

Contrasting the foundation of America’s freedom from the British are Trump and his cronies, who have repeatedly announced him as king. Earlier this year, the White House social media page posted an image of Trump in a crown on a mocked-up version of a Time Magazine cover with text that stated “long live the king.”

Journalism dies with democracy

Press freedom is “no longer a given in the United States,” according to an April brief the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) released regarding the removal of press freedoms. CPJ said press freedom falls under three categories: the restriction of access for some publications, the increased use of regulatory and governmental bodies against outlets, and targeted attacks against newsrooms and journalists. 

“This is a definitive moment for US media and the public’s right to be informed. CPJ is providing journalists with resources at record rates so they can report safely and without fear or favor, but we need everyone to understand that protecting the First Amendment is not a choice, it’s a necessity. All our freedoms depend on it,” Jodie Ginsberg, CEO, said. 

Under Trump’s reign, the Federal Communications Commission initiated investigations into CBS, ABC, and NBC— some of the nation’s largest broadcast networks— and the nation’s public broadcasts, PBS and NPR. Trump has worked to roll back federal funds for NPR and PBS, which put news access at risk for millions of Americans. As Trump said in 2016: “I love the poorly educated.” 

All of this builds upon Trump’s years-long efforts to discredit and target the press. He recently discussed how he “hates all Democrats” because they disagree with him on his Big Bad Bill, which will result in the loss of American lives from severe slashes to life-saving social services, if not escalated political violence, with two Minnesota legislators already being shot (and one killed) in June by a MAGA extremist. 

During a 2024 rally, Trump was speaking at a podium and saw a gap in the bulletproof glass protection, and he said, “To get to me, somebody would have to shoot through the fake news, and I don’t mind that so much,” speaking about press who were covering the rally. 

“Trump’s tirades against the press have become so commonplace that we risk not even noticing them anymore. But the regularity of Trump’s abuse only adds to the urgency to call them out. The dangers of growing numb to Trump’s attacks on the media cannot be overstated—what starts as a verbal insult can easily turn into something far more serious if left unchecked. RSF [Reporters Without Borders] is deeply concerned that violent rhetoric can easily lead to violent actions,” Clayton Weimers, executive director of RSF USA, said. 

In-the-field protest coverage coming out of Los Angeles shows federal and local law enforcement officers intentionally firing weapons at clearly identifiable members of the press. Australian broadcast journalist Lauren Tomasi was reporting live during a downtown LA immigration protest when she was shot directly in the leg with a rubber bullet, with video showing law enforcement singling her out.  

On the other hand, Fox News has always been a conservative station that went off the rails promoting MAGA concepts during Trump’s first term. Critics have warned that Fox depends on inaccuracies that are similar to propaganda, and that its content acts as a silo of information for viewers. Shows like Tucker Carlson Tonight have been called out for combining news analysis and commentary, which lacks factual transparency for viewers. Fox now has direct ties to the White House, with former Fox employee Pete Hegseth serving as Secretary of Defense. 

Regaining the narrative with independently-owned outlets

News laden in lies is just as harmful as the dimming down of aggressive policies and acts. One side deepens the American Fascist Party’s cult-mentality and bigotry, while the other normalizes it— but how long will larger outlets let this all slide for? 

Neighborhoods are actively being raided by people in what appear to be Amazon-bought and inconsistent law enforcement fatigues, with no badges or warrants being shown, as required by law. Violence erupts at anti-ICE protests and during efforts to interject and protect community members, while LGBTQIA+ people are stripped of their rights, and states like are Oklahoma public schools are rewriting history of the January 6 insurrection.

Fascism is fully here, and we all have a role to play in trampling it.

Smaller, independent publications are overworked with this rapidly changing news cycle and cannot keep up. Many community voices go unheard, and their stories untold. Now more than ever, the voices of those most impacted need to be pushed to the forefront of the news cycle, rather than Trump’s lies or elected officials who slurr lip service in response. 

That’s where Through the Static, an independent, Queer, disabled, and woman-owned publication, comes in. Our professional journalism coverage consists of national and local breaking news in Seattle, and feature articles— but we can’t do it alone. This ever-changing information flow is meant to bury other current events. 

Through the Static welcomes people of all backgrounds – from independent reporters to photographers, artists, activists, organizations, and community members – to collaborate with us. Not only on our mission to fight fascism, but also to spread joy. Your voice matters and needs to be shared.

This is a publication by the community, for the community. Let’s cut through the static narratives of mainstream media together. 

Please reach out via email or social media if you’d like to learn more or become involved!