As one of the most consequential presidential elections in recent history barrels toward us, critical media literacy skills have never been more important. That’s why Project Censored has partnered with The Progressive to create a must-read issue that offers valuable analysis and guidance from critical media literacy experts. Spearheaded by guest editor Mischa Geracoulis, Project Censored’s Curriculum Development Coordinator, and Norman Stockwell, publisher of The Progressive, the collaboration unites two of the most respected institutions in alternative media. “We are thrilled to see this exciting collaboration come to fruition. We have drawn on our combined resources and rich history to bring the best of the critical media literacy world together at a pivotal time,” says Stockwell. “Joining forces with The Progressive in this high-stakes election year emphasizes the power of an informed electorate, and redoubles our shared commitment to democracy and media’s function within it,” echoes Geracoulis.

Geracoulis, a long-time writer and advocate for critical media literacy, begins the issue with her Editor’s Note, pointing out the media’s impact on public opinion and how literacy interventions can inform voting decisions. She and Stockwell have drawn together some of the most eloquent voices of the current critical media literacy world to address the role of corporate media in shaping perceptions and opinions in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. The issue of The Progressive will hit newsstands on June 1 and will be released as individual articles online throughout the month at progressive.org. In addition, single copies and subscriptions can be purchased through The Progressive’s website or by mail.

This co-published special media literacy issue features:

• Project Censored Director Mickey Huff and Associate Director Andy Lee Roth on 21st-century censorship in an election year;
• Project Censored national judge and author Nolan Higdon on the possibility of the first post-legacy media presidential election and what it means for voters;
• Project Censored national judge and author Steve Macek on how the corporate media minimizes and distorts the pervasive influence of unaccountable spending on elections;
• Project Censored’s digital media team, Shealeigh Voitl, Reagan Haynie, and Kate Horgan, on navigating digital democracy.

All contributors, including Stockwell and Geracoulis, are available for interviews.

The issue will also feature an excerpt from the forthcoming book “Censorship, Digital Media, and the Global Crackdown on Freedom of Expression,” edited by Robin Andersen, Nolan Higdon, and Steve Macek.

The Progressive and Project Censored share a long and esteemed history of providing both critical analysis of corporate media and an alternative that is vital for a thriving democracy. This latest partnership brings these two powerhouses together at a time when their work couldn’t be more important.

Mischa Geracoulis is the Curriculum Development Coordinator at Project Censored, contributor to Project Censored’s State of the Free Press yearbook series, a Project Judge, and serves on the editorial board of the Censored Press. Her writing focuses on critical media and information literacy, democracy and ethics, and press and academic freedoms.

Norman Stockwell is publisher of The Progressive. Previously, for more than 20 years, he served as WORT Community Radio’s Operations Coordinator in Madison, Wisconsin. He also coordinated the IraqJournal website in 2002–2003. His reports and interviews have appeared on Free Speech Radio News, DemocracyNow!, and AirAmerica, and in print in Z Magazine, the Capital Times, AlterNet, Toward Freedom, the Tico Times, the Feminist Connection, and elsewhere. He co-edited the book Rebel Reporting: John Ross Speaks to Independent Journalists.