In this episode of The Disinfo Detox, we dive into a journalism crisis you rarely hear about on mainstream news: the rise of news deserts—communities left uninformed as local newsrooms disappear. Without local journalists holding power to account, critical issues go unreported, and communities are left in the dark.

But in Martinez, California, one journalist is fighting back. Craig Lazzeretti saw firsthand the impact of shrinking newsrooms on his community and decided to take action. He launched a Substack dedicated to uncovering the environmental, health, economic, and political issues affecting his hometown—stories that local outlets were no longer covering.

In this candid conversation, Craig shares his journey from traditional newsrooms to independent reporting, revealing the challenges and rewards of grassroots journalism. We explore the vital role of local news in maintaining community accountability, exposing environmental injustices, and empowering citizens with the information they need.

This episode also delves into the broader implications of news deserts on democracy and public trust. Can local journalism be saved? What happens when communities lose their watchdogs? And how can independent journalists like Craig bridge the gap left by corporate media consolidation?

Join us as we discuss the fight to revive local news coverage, the power of independent journalism, and why supporting community reporting is more important than ever. Don’t forget to subscribe for more in-depth conversations on media, misinformation, and the stories that matter.

Martinez News and Views https://martineznewsandviews.substack.com

Stay connected and join the conversation—follow Nolan Higdon onsocial media for insights, updates, and more!

Substack (https://nolanhigdon.substack.com/).

Facebook

X (formerlyTwitter)

Bluesky

LinkedIn

Tumblr

Instagram

MuckRack

In this episode of DisinfoDetox, we’re cutting through corporate media spin to uncover the real impact ofPresident Trump’s second-term labor policies. What do his NLRB appointmentsmean for workers? How will his administration shape the future of organizedlabor? To break it all down, we’re joined by Caroline Luce, Project Director atUCLA’s Institute for Research on Labor and Employment and chair of theCommunications Committee of UC-AFT. Caroline specializes in labor history,immigration, and working-class culture in the American West. Together, weexplore Trump’s labor agenda, key figures like NLRB Acting General CounselWilliam B. Cowen and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, and what it all meansfor unions and workers. Don’t get lost in the media fog—get the facts here. 🎧Tune in now! Follow Caroline Luce on Bluesky: @lucecaroline.bsky.social

In this episode of Disinfo Detox, we cut through the corporate media spin on President Donald Trump’s proposal for the U.S. to take over Gaza. While mainstream outlets offer little clarity—or outright misrepresent the issue—we’re diving into the deeper implications of this rhetoric and the media’s role in shaping public perception.

Joining me is Robin Andersen, an award-winning writer, media critic, and Professor Emerita at Fordham University. She has written extensively for FAIR, Project Censored, and Al Jazeera, where she has been covering media coverage of Gaza since October 7, 2023.

In this episode of Disinfo Detox, we’re peeling back the layers of legal battles, media manipulation, and hush-money scandals surrounding Donald Trump and the press. From lawsuits and gag orders to corporate media’s complicity in shaping the narrative, we expose the stories the mainstream won’t touch—or won’t tell you the whole truth about.

To help us break it all down, we’re joined by Mickey Huff, Distinguished Director of the Park Center for Independent Media at Ithaca College, Director of Project Censored, and President of the Media Freedom Foundation. Together, we’ll analyze how legal threats, disinformation, and media suppression shape public perception—and what it all means for press freedom, democracy, and the future of independent journalism.

Strap in, Detoxers—this one’s packed with facts they don’t want you to hear.