Democracy Nerd

Sarah Alvarez, founder of Detroit-based Outlier Media, and Chris Fitzsimon, publisher of States Newsroom, a national consortium of local newsrooms, join Democracy Nerd for a compelling conversation about how local newsrooms serve as community watchdogs, holding those in power accountable while helping make informed citizens. Local newsrooms are more than just news outlets; they are community builders. They celebrate local successes, cover events, and create spaces for community dialogue. However, they also provide essential accountability by investigating local issues and reporting on sensitive matters.

Sarah and Chris also discuss the threats faced by local newsrooms, including this summer's raid on the Marion County Recorder in Kansas in which the local police force stormed the paper's office, seizing computers and reporting equipment. Such incidents have a chilling effect on investigative journalism, leading to a lack of transparency and accountability in communities.

Sarah and Chris discuss strategies to support local newsrooms. Sarah's Outlier Media uses technology to understand community information needs, making local newsrooms more relevant. National efforts like States Newsroom provide resources, funding, and a network for local newsrooms to collaborate and amplify their impact. They emphasize that supporting local journalism is essential for a strong democracy.

A robust democracy relies on well-informed communities, and local newsrooms are the foundation of this knowledge. However, they face unprecedented challenges and threats that require community support and collaboration.

Joshua Douglas, law professor at University of Kentucky and author of the forthcoming "The Voters v. The Court," joins the podcast to shed light on the significant developments and controversies surrounding the Supreme Court's 2023 term,

touching on key decisions related to affirmative action, private business discrimination, and democracy.

The contentious Students for Fair Admissions decision overturning affirmative action precedent for higher education admissions marks a significant shift in the Court's approach to issues of race and equality. The Court's 303 Creative ruling allows private businesses to discriminate for the first time. Other key decisions include Moore v. Harper and Allen v. Alabama, both of which have potential consequences for the future of democracy in this country.

Also discussed the legitimacy crisis faced by the Supreme Court, currently viewed unfavorably by a large majority of Americans. This crisis poses a significant threat to the health of American democracy, as the Supreme Court plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the rule of law and protecting individual rights (or at least it should.)

What role should technology play in our political system? Is the Cambridge Analytica data mining scandal from the 2016 the cynical model that immediately comes to mind when tech and politics is discussed? Or should there be efforts to recapture Barack Obama's spirited use of social media in 2008 to unite a large coalition of disparate activists and voters? And with the recent emergence of AI, what sort of guardrails are needed to ensure the sanctity of our electoral process? Matt Krayton, owner and principal of Publitics consulting firm, joins the podcast to address these issues.

Robert Talisse, professor of philosophy at Vanderbilt University and the author of "Sustaining Democracy: What We Owe to the Other Side," joins the podcast to delve into the vital topic of accepting opposing political views as a cornerstone of a strong democracy.

Talisse underscores the significance of open dialogue and constructive discourse in a democratic society. A democracy thrives when it fosters an environment where citizens recognize the legitimacy of diverse viewpoints, even those they disagree with vehemently.

The recent statements by figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican Congresswoman from Georgia, who suggested the appropriateness of executing political opponents, and Ron DeSantis, the Governor of Florida, who made violent remarks about his hypothetical presidency, have ignited debates about the limits of political rhetoric. Talisse highlights that such extreme statements not only undermine the principles of democracy but also exemplify the pressing need to encourage a more respectful and inclusive discourse.

In an era where polarizing opinions can sometimes escalate into hostility, Talisse's insights offer a roadmap for creating a more resilient democratic society. By acknowledging that accepting opposing political views doesn't entail relinquishing one's convictions, but rather enriching the discourse, we can uphold the principles upon which democracies are built.

The 2022 midterm elections was the first after the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision tossed aside protections for reproductive rights under Roe v. Wade. As a result, women voters decidedly rejected Republican candidates, helping turn a long-assumed projected "red wave" into a "red trickle." As we head into the 2024 presidential election, not much has changed. And according to Lauren Leader, co-founder and CEO of All In Together, women voters are still galvanized and looking to continue having an impact electorally. Lauren joins the podcast to explain how women continue to have a political impact--local is best!--and provides a little tea-reading as to how women voters will influence the upcoming election.

The 2022 midterm elections was the first after the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision tossed aside protections for reproductive rights under Roe v. Wade. As a result, women voters decidedly rejected Republican candidates, helping turn a long-assumed projected "red wave" into a "red trickle." As we head into the 2024 presidential election, not much has changed. And according to Lauren Leader, co-founder and CEO of All In Together, women voters are still galvanized and looking to continue having an impact electorally. Lauren joins the podcast to explain how women continue to have a political impact--local is best!--and provides a little tea-reading as to how women voters will influence the upcoming election.

With its 6-3 ruling in Moore v. Harper, the Supreme Court has ruled that the (fringe? debunked?) Independent State Legislature Theory is dead. Eliza Sweren-Becker, Senior Counsel in the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, explains how this decision preserves democracy in the United States--at least for now.

Recorded on the day that the Supreme Court issued its Allen v. Milligan decision, Brad Snyder, Professor of Law at Georgetown University, joins the podcast to discuss his book "Democratic Justice: Felix Frankfurter, the Supreme Court, and the Making of the Liberal Establishment" and explains how the Supreme Court has *always* been "small c" conservative, Justice Frankfurter's commitment to judicial restraint, and also explains why J. Edgar Hoover once called Felix Frankfurter "the most dangerous man in America." After decades of hindsight, what is the proper way to view the complicated legacy of Justice Frankfurter--and how does his service compare and contrast to current Supreme Court justices?

Michael Waldman, President of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, discusses his new book "The Supermajority: How the Supreme Court Divided America" and explains how the Roberts Supreme Court--instead of serving as a bastion of democracy--has undermined democratic principles through its reactionary and regressive decisions.

Anne Nelson, an award-winning journalist, author, and playwright, joins Democracy Nerd to discuss the Council for National Policy, which she initially featured in her 2019 book "Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right." You haven't heard of the Council for National Policy, and have no idea how it impacts your life on a daily basis? Anne Nelson thinks you need to know more about this shadowy cabal--and how it's desperately pulling out all the stops to curtail democracy in the U.S.