The Media Capitulation Index

Dear Citizen,

How are America’s biggest media companies responding to the Trump Presidency? Not very well! 

This week our friends at Free Press released the first ever Media Capitulation Index. A sweeping investigation into the 35 largest American media conglomerates that finds many are failing to defend democracy and a free press against authoritarian threats. See who got gold stars… and who got turkeys here: 

Who Owns the Media

Who owns the 35 most powerful media companies in America? Learn how these giants came to dominate the U.S. media landscape through mergers, acquisition and manipulation. Free Press rates their ability to defend democracy during a time of authoritarianism.

Free Press Action Fund

Here’s what else to watch, read and do this week. 

📚 ONE READ: The Cult of Big Tech 📚

Who decides our tomorrow? As Silicon Valley’s influence expands, a new belief system is quietly reshaping society. Natalia Antelava’s essay in Coda explores how tech elites are redefining power, the risks to human agency, and what it will take to reclaim our collective future. 

Read Natalia’s piece here: 

Who decides our tomorrow? Challenging Silicon Valley’s power - Coda Story

As Silicon Valley’s influence expands, a new belief system is quietly reshaping society. This piece explores how tech elites are redefining power, the risks to human agency, and what it will take to reclaim our collective future

Coda StoryNatalia Antelava

📺 ONE WATCH: Hao x Cadwalladr on Empire AI   📺

In one of the biggest bestselling books of the year, Karen Hao argues that we ought to look at companies like OpenAI, one of the biggest AI companies in the world, as new forms of empire. Hao spoke with Carole Cadwalladr this week, discussing Sam Altman’s OpenAI and its rise, what makes Big AI a new form of empire, what should we make of OpenAI’s deals with news outlets, and much more. 

Miss it? Watch here: 

‘Empire of AI’ with Karen Hao & Carole Cadwalladr

A recording from The Citizens’s live video

Citizens ReunitedThe Citizens

📻 ONE ACTION: Ghosting Spotify 📻

Among the many reasons to be wary of Spotify, artists and listeners are now leaving the platform after its CEO invested in defense technology. But can you really break free? The Guardian says leaving Spotify isn’t actually that hard - and you can even keep your playlists. Click here to find out how:

Four alternatives to Spotify: swapping is easier than you think

Artists and listeners are leaving the platform after its CEO invested in defence technology. Here are your options – along with how to keep your playlists

The GuardianGuardian staff

That’s it for this week. 

Team Citizens

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