S8 E6: What Could Have Been

S8 E6: What Could Have Been

June 24, 2026 · 50 min · Season 8 · Episode 6

About this episode

The episode explores the history and evolution of America's news media system and the efforts for reform towards a more democratic and accountable structure.

Ever thought about whether America's overwhelmingly corporate, for-profit news system is working as it should? It didn't have to be this way. In the 20th century, reformers fought for a more democratic and more accountable news media in the United States. They won victories, including the creation of the nation's public broadcasting system. What happened next? By John Biewen, with co-host Chenjerai Kumanyika. Interviews with John Lowery, Dan Schiller, Victor Pickard, and Mark Lloyd. Story editor: Diane Hodson. Assistant Producer, Arlene Arevalo. Fact-checking by Anna Pujol Mazzini. Music by Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band, Michelle Osis, Lili Haydn, Alex Weston, James Nathan Jones, and Jason Hill. Music consulting by Joe Augustine of Narrative Music. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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