Free press is threatened more than ever in the current political environment, particularly by this government. Journalists, and journalists who work with marginalized communities especially, are entangled in an extremely complex fight with the truth. For Black communities, it is even more pressing, with shifting policies and terminology seeming to target them more and more so that it is becoming increasingly evident.

Free press is threatened more than ever in the current political environment, particularly by this government. Journalists, and journalists who work with marginalized communities especially, are entangled in an extremely complex fight with the truth. For Black communities, it is even more pressing, with shifting policies and terminology seeming to target them more and more so that it is becoming increasingly evident.

The role of journalism in a democratic society is to hold power accountable and to give voice to those who are often silenced. But in recent years, we’ve seen an erosion of press freedoms that threatens to weaken this crucial pillar of democracy. The suppression of information, the manipulation of narratives, and the criminalization of dissent are now prevalent issues in the media landscape. Systemic and individual racism have long been the cornerstones upon which this country has been built, and these are still powerful shapers today. Envy and a cultural divide are also persistent, maintaining these race tensions, which influence both what is shared as well as heard.

The Impact on Black Voices

For Black journalists and media covering the Black American struggle, there is an added challenge. In a country where racism permeates all institutions, the media are both a field of combat and a force of empowerment. With the present administration, however, it appears that the bull’s eye on Black communities has been concentrated even more so.

Policies disproportionately affecting Black Americans—voter disenfranchisement, to mention but one, to criminal justice reform—are consistently downplayed or misrepresented in the corporate press. In the meantime, reporters who are courageous enough to report on these injustices are repeatedly threatened, both by political officials and hate groups online. Not only are the stories being told, but so is the freedom to tell them and not fear consequences. Racist beliefs persist, from the jealousy and resentment that others feel towards Black progress, to cultural divides that persist in excluding and dividing Black communities.

Censorship and Misinformation

It has grown increasingly hard to separate fact from fiction in the age of the internet. The disinformation campaign and attack on the media by the current administration have created misinformation for individuals about what is real and what isn’t. Black journalists make it even more hazardous. Blacks get their news skewed, demonized, or removed, which causes a public discourse that isn’t representative of millions of people’s experiences.

This distortion is a direct cause of the cultural chasm that has plagued this country for centuries, rooted in racism and racist stereotypes. Misinformation gets spread, propagating distrust and more polarization. Racism, jealousy, and prejudice fuel an environment where Black lives are devalued, leading to policies further institutionalizing inequality and oppression.

The Role of Independent Media

Whereas mainstream media outlets will not report on some stories due to corporate pressures or threats of retaliation, Black-owned media and independent media have played a crucial role in reporting these significant stories. These journalists are working day and night to speak for the voiceless, but they also suffer economic deprivation, harassment, and assault by lawyers. Even with such difficulties, independent journalism is crucial to upholding the free flow of information, and their efforts have never been more necessary.

These independent publications are serving to bridge the cultural divide by sharing the stories that mainstream media tend to ignore, emphasizing the lived realities of Black Americans and the amplification of their voices. But the battle is not yet won, for jealousy and racism continue in the reception of these stories by broader audiences, fueling a very real cultural struggle.

Fighting for Freedom

If journalism is to remain free, it must recognize its role not just in maintaining democracy but in protecting the rights of oppressed people. Black people have spearheaded the resistance struggle for decades, and journalism would be a natural extension of that resistance.

As we move ahead, it is imperative that all of us—citizens, activists, and journalists—stay vigilant in upholding press freedoms. It is not a fight for journalists; it is a fight for the right to truth, for Black lives, and for democracy itself. Until we tackle the racism, jealousy, and cultural fault lines that continue to shape our society, the struggle for free journalism will continue to be tied to the struggle for racial justice.

I AM BLACK & PROUD TO BE A BLACK WOMAN.