What Baker's Ideas on Media Can Teach Us About Democracy

Sanjay Jolly discusses the work of C. Edwin Baker, a leading scholar of constitutional law, communications law, and free speech. Baker argued that the First Amendment should protect the public's right to receive information from diverse sources. Jolly explains how media decisions are made, how technology fuels outrage, and the importance of understanding the forces that shape the narratives that impact us.

Key Takeaways:

1. The First Amendment is about individual dignity and ensuring a robust and open public discourse.
2. Local journalism functions as a public good and requires public investment to fill gaps left by the commercial media system.
3. Public media alternatives are necessary to provide resources and infrastructure for communities to produce and distribute media that represents themselves.
4. Social cohesion and trust are difficult to achieve in a deeply unequal society.
5. Unequal societies stoke social anger and resentment, which can be directed by well-organized groups.

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Also check out our companion podcasts, This Week in Outrage and Outrage Science Bites.

Intro music and outro music by Michael Ramir C.

Many thanks to my co-editor and co-director, Austin Chen.