· by markjacob.bsky.social ·4h ago · view on bsky.app ↗

25 must-follow people in pro-democracy media (stopthepresses.news)

One way to fight negativity is to lift up inspirational voices

We’re in scary times, but lots of folks in media are doing their damnedest to defend democracy. My Stop the Presses newsletter praises 25 of them and also cites other fierce fighters. See if you agree.

87 comments — live from bluesky

Lisa Haver · 3 · 4h ago

@anandwrites.bsky.social

Lisa Haver · 11 · 4h ago

Of course @willbunch.bsky.social

Mark Jacob · 2 · 4h ago

Yep.

Lisa · 1 · 3h ago

Great list. And it’s comforting to recognize so many fighting the good fight. 👊

Birdman · 1 · 1h ago

Only if they are not also neocon warmonger. And want to push all world to be like failed usa. Often they overlap.

kimberlyhs.bsky.social · 0 · 3h ago

Excellent list

KeithDB · 0 · 1h ago

Wait, you don't have me? I'm sure it was just an oversight.

martyw-prohumanity.bsky.social · 1 · 44m ago

Heather Delaney Reese is wonderful. Not as famous as Heather Cox Richardson but just as committed to saving American democracy.

Jack Wittman · 3 · 4h ago

This is what needs to be the focus of the next Press award show. This is the bravery we all need.

halfbackjack · 1 · 3h ago

I do agree, already had most of them on my list and happily added some more. Thank you for the suggestions.

Simon · 0 · 8h ago

Defending democracy with a newsletter is like bringing a strongly worded PDF to a gunfight. But I admire the formatting.

Mark Jacob · 5 · 4h ago

"Common Sense" was a newsletter of sorts.

littledoodle.bsky.social · 0 · 2h ago

The Good Liars

Wynndoe · 5 · 4h ago

Add Rachel Maddow.

Donna - sooo tired of this whole administration. · 0 · 17m ago

@joycewhitevance.bsky.social should also be on that list!

Donna - sooo tired of this whole administration. · 0 · 13m ago

Also @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu @timothysnyder.bsky.social @macfarlanenews.bsky.social

Patrick Hutchinson · 7 · 3h ago

All these, and Robert Reich too! I appreciate his take as someone who’s served in government, when public servants actually served: he knows how the sausages are made. His column today, entitled “The moronic bullshit of the Third Way” is a particular banger.

readrantrage.bsky.social · 14 · 3h ago

Daniel Nichanian, @taniel.bsky.social, and Bolts magazine, @boltsmag.org, focus on election issues, especially local; informative, to the point, and vital in the coming months.

Taniel · 7 · 3h ago

thanks for the mention :)

G.D.'s Journeys · 1 · 3h ago

I very strongly recommend Elizabeth Cronise McLaughlin (former Wall Street lawyer) and her "Resistance Live" videos on YouTube. @ecmclaughlin.bsky.social Not only does she provide excellent commentary, she gives us actionable steps we can take to help elect progressive candidates.

Mark Jacob · 71 · 4h ago

My weekly Stop the Presses newsletter remains free, but we’ve added a paid tier for those who want to financially support my efforts and get bonus features. Please subscribe, either for free or for a fee. It’s vital to hold journalists to account as the right wing assaults the truth.

Susan Behrens · 0 · 1h ago

What about Lawrence O'Donnell and Rachel Maddow?

Patty M · 1 · 3h ago

Have you or has someone made a follow list for BlueSky?

☮️🗽⚖️💙🇺🇸 · 4 · 4h ago

Great list! I'm always on the hunt for posts from all of them plus your honorable mentions and AngryStaffer, Adam Mockler and Jack Hopkins.

Millie Cassese ⚖️ · 3 · 4h ago

Great list. Insightful reporters. Thanks, Mark Jacob. ⚖️

Tony Sarabia · 0 · 12m ago

And you for sure!

Dandy Dirky · 0 · 10m ago

I would add Anne Applebaum to that list.

Tina · 0 · 3h ago

Adam Kinzinger❗️💜✊🏻

Tina · 5 · 3h ago

Great List❗️ These too: 💜✊🏻💜 Rick Wilson.. Steve Schmidt Rachel Maddow.. Hoodlum Jon Cooper The Tennessee Holler Robert Reich God Alt National Park Service Seth Abramson

Cindy Bloom · 19 · 4h ago

What about Brian Tyler Cohen? He’s on the White House’s enemy list. And Ben Meiselas?

🇺🇦🇨🇦Vieux Quelque Chose · 0 · 1h ago

I like Tim Miller a lot.

Phillipe Copeland, PhD · 0 · 1h ago

Thanks for this practical list.

Gene Gauthier · 3 · 3h ago

@johnjharwood.bsky.social was a very early outspoken critic starting in Trump I, while most journalists were still tip-toeing around the obvious authoritarian power grabs. Also not afraid to make good character, honesty, etc. an issue. Forever grateful for his clarity.

isosolies.bsky.social · 0 · 1h ago

There are a lot of people fighting the fight on the left, from the beginning, like Sam Seder and Emma Vigland, Mehdi Hassan and Adam Mockler, Hassan Piker and a lot of smaller voices. They gave a lot of strength and hope to people in the darkest times of Trump.

Story of bas Monde · 4 · 3h ago

It would be nice to not include George Bush Republicans that are really only mad that Trump hijack their party from them They are or were Republicans for God's sake and are not progressive in the least Just like so many Pablum Pundits on MSM

rodneynookey.bsky.social · 1 · 1h ago

I was thinking the same thing.

dsullivan238.bsky.social · 1 · 3h ago

Is there a starter pack?

Hunting Rupert M. · 0 · 29m ago

Definitely need these people more than ever.

Ann Telnaes · 119 · 4h ago

Don't forget the editorial cartoonists- the brilliant Steve Brodner, Matt Davies, Joel Pett, Jack Ohman, KAL, to name a very few. American editorial cartoonists knew who Trump was and sounded the alarm early in his first term.

Mark Jacob · 79 · 4h ago

I should do a whole separate piece about the great cartoonists, including you! Thanks for naming a few.

Ann Telnaes · 23 · 4h ago

Thank you Mark- always look forward to your posts.

stpauldeb.bsky.social · 1 · 2h ago

Please include Pulitzer prize winner Steve Sack formerly of the Minneapolis Star Tribune and now publishing on MinnPost. He’s also amazing! stevesack.substack.com

clnzjay 🌱 🐶 🇨🇦 · 3 · 3h ago

And Canadian cartoonists: @theomoudakis.bsky.social, @deadder.bsky.social, and @mackinnonart.bsky.social! They are the best of the best! 🇨🇦

TrumpIsTheEnemy 🐸🏳‍🌈🇺🇦#FDJT #DC51 · 3 · 4h ago

Luckovich, Bagley

Susanne 25th for 47 · 7 · 4h ago

And you as well Ann.

Ann Telnaes · 6 · 4h ago

🙏🙏

Vics Future Tense 🇺🇦🇺🇸☮️ · 1 · 1h ago

Mike Luckovich

Vics Future Tense 🇺🇦🇺🇸☮️ · 1 · 1h ago

Tom Tomorrow

Brian Colligan · 1 · 4h ago

Absolutely. And if I can add to this list: Drew Sheneman is knocking it out of the park lately, as are Mike Luckovich and David Horsey.

Stu Cowan 🇨🇦 · 8 · 4h ago

@deadder.bsky.social

BadJohnBrown · 1 · 2h ago

Decent list, except Jen Rubin is a rabid bigot and Oliver Darcy is not at all on par with this group.

Judy · 1 · 2h ago

A starter pack would help me follow them

observerbs.bsky.social · 0 · 2h ago

Good list. I'd add Mark Copelovitch and Nicholas Grossman.

observerbs.bsky.social · 3 · 2h ago

Other adds: Juliet Jeske (Decoding FOX News) Ruth Ben-Ghiat Thomas Zimmer

txdcny · 1 · 2h ago

This list doesn’t include the most insightful political commentator of the Trump era. www.theatlantic.com/author/adam-...

debz59.bsky.social · 0 · 4h ago

@jenpsaki.bsky.social @kaitlancollins.bsky.social @jessicatarlov.bsky.social @maddow.bsky.social @podsaveamerica.crooked.com @joyannreid.bsky.social

Dennis Buchholz · 0 · 34m ago

Not scared. Planning actions. Surgical strikes are key🥸☠️

Deb · 3 · 1h ago

Scott MacFarlane. @macfarlanenews.bsky.social

Mic Farris · 0 · 4h ago

*This* is the list!

John Elliott · 0 · 3h ago

Yourself. Mehdi Hasan Jim Fallows(in the wings).

MayhemMel! · 0 · 2h ago

Maybe just maybe they should be watching us. After all, its social media backlash that has changed policies. Since the legacy media won't write about all the corruption we do. Boost candidates and share important information you find anywhere mainstream.

CA-NC-GA Lady · 0 · 4h ago

Great list!!

JessicaBlack · 0 · 4h ago

It's wild how someone can be obviously literate and then come to these conclusions... I do not know how someone could be as gullible for propagandist as you clearly are and make it through life... You must of been some combination of lucky and privileged to make it this far in life.

Rippmo1952 · 1 · 2h ago

Happy to see Jacob Soberoff on honorable mentions. Missing Ali Velshi. Happy Jackie Alamany, the Tony Dokoupil of MS NOW, is not mentioned.

cybskysocial.bsky.social · 0 · 1h ago

Well when are we going to stand up . We have to make plans for a protest . It’s not a fucking parade , it’s not a get together .

Nanners 🌻 · 0 · 3h ago

Already followed most of them, but found a few. Thanks 😊

The Mystic Wolf · 0 · 3h ago

Appreciate your list. I already follow or know of many of these folks. I’m a bit disappointed that your inclusion of Radley Balko has a link to the OpEd in the NYT labeled as a gift article only to find that it still asks for a sign in or subscription a couple paragraphs in.

tralfamadorian10.bsky.social · 17 · 4h ago

I’d add Ann Applebaum.

Mark Jacob · 4 · 4h ago

I appreciated her book "Twilight of Democracy."

FishyFish · 17 · 4h ago

Where's Tapper? /s

Cindy Bloom · 5 · 4h ago

Eh, after the hit job he did via his book, not too great.

Mark Jacob · 14 · 4h ago

The "/s" means sarcasm.

Chris Camposeo · 0 · 4h ago

Is this a bit

Desplome Diario · 0 · 2h ago

Tapper sucks.

Cat meow 📎 X 👑 · 0 · 2h ago

Jacob Soboroff @normeisen.bsky.social @maddow.bsky.social

LynnRN · 7 · 4h ago

I would love to see Ron Filipkowski in that top 25!

Gary Goldberg · 5 · 4h ago

And Josh Marshall and Brian Beutler. But the list plus honorable mentions are pretty good.

bkgibbs1.bsky.social · 2 · 4h ago

Please check out Thom Hartman. Not as funny as Stephanie Miller but...

Joseph Henderson · 2 · 3h ago

strongly recommend Joyce White Vance to be on this list. And Robert Hubble

BuccoBruce76 · 28 · 4h ago

I appreciate this list very much. But I don’t agree on Nicolle Wallace. She was part of the team that thought Sarah Palin was a good idea. I do not trust her. I would have added Will Bunch to the top 25. His and Huppke’s columns are always excellent.

Mark Jacob · 44 · 4h ago

Will Bunch definitely. That's an oversight on my part. Thanks for mentioning him.

BuccoBruce76 · 12 · 4h ago

Like I said, his and Rex’s columns are always must read. Charles P. Pierce too. How could I forget him? Appreciate your work, sir.

Mark Jacob · 31 · 4h ago

Charles Pierce is another good one. Sort of makes the point that there are many strong voices out there.

BuccoBruce76 · 21 · 4h ago

I Left out Ali Velshi too.

Mark Jacob · 12 · 4h ago

Velshi is terrific. I have mentioned him in the past.

Gene Gauthier · 1 · 3h ago

I will never forget her asking "How did we get here?" after the Dobbs decision. WHAT??!

BuccoBruce76 · 0 · 1h ago

That’s why I have zero use for her. As soon as the next Dem is in 1600 you’ll see how fast she’ll revert to form.

vietnamvetbob.bsky.social · 6 · 4h ago

Nicole actually apologized for the sarah palin debacle calling her unqualified and embarrassing for the Republican Party. She knows she fucked up.

madramblings.bsky.social · 5 · 4h ago

Has she ever expressed her opinion on the 2000 election/ Bush v Gore/ Brooks Brother riot/ etc., or the Iraq war? I believe those were the turning points of this country. And R's who supported those events got us exactly where we are today.

G Loads · 2 · 1h ago

And still she platforms a bunch of neo-cons, libertarians, and moderate who got us right where we are now.

BuccoBruce76 · 0 · 1h ago

Yeah fat chance of that happening. At the end of the day she bleeds Republican red.

BuccoBruce76 · 0 · 4h ago

Since I never watched her after the move to MSNBC, I was not aware of that. Thanks for the update.

Joy and Teeth · 1 · 3h ago

Oh nooo I love watching her show. I didn’t know that. I wonder what she would say today it really sounds like she has learned and become more progressive. I’m all about accepting people can change/grow or what is this all about ? But I’ll keep this in my mental ‘back pocket’ thx for sharing

Mary Cross 🫘 · 2 · 3h ago

Excellent list.

Lash TubaPeter to the Mast · 0 · 3h ago

I'm number 26 btw

hansdatter.bsky.social · 2 · 3h ago

Rachel Maddow!

Let’s Be Frank · 25 · 4h ago

I assume Rachel Maddow was left off because she’s only on once a week.

Mark Jacob · 10 · 4h ago

Yes, that was a factor.

Joy and Teeth · 6 · 4h ago

As a viewer of hers I’d like to ask… is there another concern to consider I may be missing ?

Cindy Bloom · 11 · 4h ago

Probably. She’s the gold standard, IMO

haikuwoman.bsky.social · 4 · 3h ago

I remember first hearing Barack Obama’s name from Rachel - way, way back - she pointed out that this guy from Chicago was definitely someone to watch! Lawrence O’Donnell was the first to call out our current President’s lies - way, way back! I’ve been their fan ever since!

Let’s Be Frank · 3 · 3h ago

🎯🎯🎯 Absolutely the same here. I only watch MS Now. Wallace, Ali Velshi, Psaki, O’Donnell, Chris Hayes are all top-notch, passionate pro-democracy warriors who take trump’s fascist regime to task everyday. No one else does this, even CNN which I dropped two years ago. And of course Fox is a disgrace.

BlueNan · 7 · 4h ago

She should be at the Top! She’s fearless and brilliant.

PhantomAngell · 0 · 26m ago

Lawrence O'Donnell

Desplome Diario · 1 · 2h ago

Nice list. If Amy Goodman & Juan Gonzalez had been omitted, I'd have gotten seriously pissed.

Jo H. · 1 · 3h ago

Mark see if you can convince @jamellebouie.net to come back to Bluesky. He has been gone for a couple weeks :(

j-kindz.bsky.social · 0 · 2h ago

I think he’s blocked half of Bluesky

Auntie Mame 🇺🇦☮️🇬🇱 🇬🇪 · 2 · 2h ago

I watch Nicole almost every day

Kauweloa, Ph.D. · 0 · 1h ago

Holy cow, I honestly thought that was 50 cent in that shot

frannybananny.bsky.social · 0 · 2h ago

Mehdi Hasan Rachel Maddow Lawrence O’Donnell

Alexis · 3 · 4h ago

Great idea!

☮☮😸😸☮☮ · 4 · 4h ago

Excellent list. Glad I am following all 25 already! Have a good day and start to the new week. Thank you for Stop the Presses. Always good reading!

pizzmoe™ · 1 · 3h ago

Great list (and I happily read all of them). I'd add Noel Casler.

M. Maccc · 2 · 2h ago

Thank you, Mark. Many of your picks are on my list. And now I have some new journalists with integrity to add.

Jackie Kerr · 2 · 2h ago

Any list no matter how diligently compiled leaves out some names. I commend your piece and concur that Independent Media is the best news source right now. I would add Wajahat Ali of The Left Hook, Allison Gill @muellershewrote.com, and Ellie Leonard for topnotch Epstein coverage. All on Substack.

Jeffrey Brown · 1 · 3h ago

The Crisis, by Thomas Paine www.ushistory.org/paine/crisis... THESE are the times that try men's souls. . . . Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.

Juice Haver · 2 · 3h ago

What was nicolle wallace up to 2000-2008

Patti · 0 · 2h ago

Being a republican She saw the light + is definitely on our side

Eddy Matiss · 1 · 3h ago

Kaitlan Collins.

wehriskat.bsky.social · 1 · 12m ago

Rachel Maddow (!) Adam Serwer Elie Mystal Melissa Murray Dahlia Lithwick Sherrilyn Ifill Aaron Reichlin-Melnick

Tom Cooper · 0 · 1h ago

I like most all of the MSNow hosts, but Nicolle is the show I tape every day and have for the past 8 years.

TeacherTrishSNE · 3 · 4h ago

I’d add Tom Nichols, who may not be a liberal, but he is absolutely pro-democracy and has a better grasp of military and Soviet affairs than anyone; and General Mark Hertling for his observations on defense matters.

j-kindz.bsky.social · 0 · 2h ago

No. He’s about as cynical as they come.

TeacherTrishSNE · 0 · 5m ago

I don’t disagree, but isn’t the point of democracy that we are all free to have our own viewpoint? He *left* the Republican Party on principle.

Danielle Froom 🏳️‍🌈 · 1 · 3h ago

Lololololololololololol jfc

LisaTheLiberal 🦋 · 3 · 4h ago

👏👏👏💐💐💐

shinyobjects3.bsky.social · 1 · 3h ago

Thanks.

gns1birdsong.bsky.social · 0 · 2h ago

This is a good list

Joy and Teeth · 1 · 4h ago

So many fantastic journalists at MSNOW right now. Theyve made me feel less alone these past months by raising appropriate alarms, leveraging strong experts to educate, & keeping the warmth/humanity. Its hard to gauge how others out there are feeling but their incredulousness makes me feel less crazy

Joy and Teeth · 3 · 4h ago

I have to highly recommend @theweeknightmsnbc.bsky.social as well. They’ve been vocal in their admonishment of this regime. Michael Steele and Simone Sanders-Townsend in particular

Broccolee🥦🥦🥦 · 12 · 4h ago

Pretty boring liberal group - how about progressives - Mehdi Hasan, Prem Thakker, Asawin Suebsaeng, Hasan Piker, Krystal Ball, Ryan Grim, Jeremy Scahill, Amy Goodman, David Hogg, Norman Finklestein, Ari Paul, Doug Henwood, Dave Zirin, John Nichols, etc…

Mark Jacob · 7 · 4h ago

Amy Goodman and Asawin Seubsaeng are mentioned in my piece.

Gene Gauthier · 1 · 3h ago

Those two deserve to be on your list.

gomimig.bsky.social · 7 · 4h ago

Adam Mockler and Scott MacFarlane

Patricia 🇺🇦🇨🇦⚜️ · 1 · 3h ago

Of all the young podcasters I follow, Adam Mokler is the best IMHO. He’s a natural speaker with precise vocabulary who is also very good on panels with MAGA commentators. Too many podcasters are either too dramatic or too ‘whiny’ and even if their content is good, their delivery lacks fluidity.

Colorlady · 1 · 2h ago

Great list. Also among my go tos are Ben Meiselas of Meidas Touch Network and Joyce Vance who pens Civil Discourse on Substack.

pushtoactivate · 1 · 4h ago

Lost me with partisans Catherine Rampell and Jen Rubin. Opportunists.