Robert W. McChesney, a prominent media critic known for his criticism of corporate ownership in journalism and the influence of Silicon Valley billionaires on information online, passed away at the age of 72 due to brain cancer. Throughout his career, McChesney published numerous books and articles that highlighted the negative impact of profit-driven media on democracy.
A staunch socialist, McChesney believed that government intervention was necessary to support nonprofit news outlets and mitigate the influence of corporate giants like Facebook and Google. He advocated for policies like nationalizing internet behemoths to ensure equal access to information for all content producers.
McChesney co-founded Free Press in 2003, a public interest group that fought against corporate consolidation in the news industry, and advocated for net neutrality. His work received recognition from Utne Reader, which named him as one of the “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World.”
In his later years, McChesney warned about the impact of artificial intelligence and the jobless economy on democracy. He argued that capitalism was not suitable for the technological revolution and called for a citizenless democracy, where decisions were made to benefit the wealthy and powerful.
McChesney’s legacy is marked by his dedication to media reform, advocacy for government intervention in the media industry, and efforts to resist corporate control of information. He leaves behind a rich body of work that continues to inspire and provoke discussion about the future of journalism and democracy.
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