A Public Service Announcement for Independent Media

As alternative media rises, Glenn Greenwald issues a warning about the growing vulnerabilities threatening independent journalism.

WHEN asked by a viewer to reflect on the recent secret meeting between various conservative independent media personalities and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Glenn Greenwald offered a measured response, using the moment to reflect on what it takes to succeed in the independent media landscape. He discusses the vulnerabilities that independent outlets must confront if they hope to avoid the same pitfalls now afflicting legacy media corporations.

An excerpt:

“If you’re suddenly now—because you cheered on MAGA, you cheered on Trump everyday—now you’re getting invited to the White House, you’re being let in on secret meetings, the Trump White House is calling you, giving you little tidbits; to what extent is that really independent media?

I mean, I’ve always believed it’s important to keep people in power at a distance, at arms length. The minute you start befriending them, the minute you start talking to them too much, the minute you start succumbing to the temptations of being let into their world, and you know, people with power, they can open doors… of course that’s going to compromise your independence.

Or maybe not of course, maybe you can resist that and fight against that. But it’s certainly going to have a big effect. That’s why I’ve always hated anything that reeks of journalists and political power merging socially, or any other way, like that White House Correspondents dinner.”

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