Remembering Robert McChesney: A Guardian of Democracy and Media
Robert McChesney, a distinguished media scholar, co-founder of Free Press, and a tireless advocate for democratic values, passed away at the age of 72 on Tuesday. His legacy is marked by an extensive body of work that addressed the crucial relationship between media systems and democratic governance.
Influential Works and Scholarly Contributions
Throughout his career, McChesney authored or edited nearly three dozen books that have significantly shaped the discourse on media and democracy. Some of his notable works include:
- Rich Media, Poor Democracy (2000)
- The Problem With the Media (2004)
- The Death and Life of American Journalism (2010, co-authored with John Nichols)
- Dollarocracy (2012, also with Nichols)
- Digital Disconnect (2013)
- Digital Democracy (2014)
McChesney served as the Gutgsell endowed professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign and co-established the Illinois Initiative on Global Information and Communication Policy alongside Dan Schiller.
A Visionary Advocate for Media Reform
Craig Aaron, president and co-CEO of Free Press, commended McChesney’s contributions, stating, “Bob McChesney was a brilliant scholar whose ideas and insights reached far beyond the classroom.” Aaron underscored McChesney’s belief in the public’s capacity to reform media systems to better serve societal needs.
“Rather than fighting over Washington’s narrow vision of what was possible,” Aaron recalled, “he advocated for a broader, more transformative approach.” McChesney’s push for systemic changes in media policy reflected his commitment to enhancing democratic participation.
Impact on Aspiring Journalists and Scholars
Jon Queally, managing editor at Common Dreams, shared his personal reflections on McChesney’s profound influence on his understanding of media systems. He noted, “Rich Media, Poor Democracy pretty much changed my life, a book that I once taught to high school students.” Queally emphasized how McChesney effectively conveyed the detrimental effects of corporate interests on journalism and information integrity.
Andrew Kennis, a communications professor at Rutgers University, echoed this sentiment, declaring, “Bob McChesney’s impact on media was immeasurable.” Kennis highlighted McChesney’s role in articulating critiques of capitalism and its adverse impact on democratic practices.
A Legacy Intertwined with Cultural Movements
A lesser-known aspect of McChesney’s career is his connection to the grunge music scene in Seattle during the late 20th century. Kennis recounted how McChesney initially engaged with journalism while covering emerging music acts like Nirvana and Soundgarden.
McChesney co-founded The Rocket, an independent publication that showcased various indie bands as they gained prominence. Ironically, The Rocket’s eventual sale to a large publisher led to its decline, illustrating the very issues McChesney often critiqued.
A Lasting Influence on Public Discourse
Throughout his career, McChesney emphasized the necessity of understanding the intersection of media, democracy, and capitalism. He famously articulated the concept of “Dollarocracy,” explaining the disparity between democratic ideals and the reality of money’s influence on politics. He stated during a 2013 interview, “Democracy means rule of the people: one person, one vote. Dollarocracy means the rule of the dollars: one dollar, one vote.”
Many of McChesney’s peers, including Jeff Cohen, founder of Fairness and Accuracy in Media (FAIR), highlighted his commitment to analyzing the negative repercussions of corporate control over media systems. Cohen remarked, “No one did more to analyze the negative and censorial impacts of our media and information systems being controlled by giant, amoral corporations.”
Closing Reflections
Robert McChesney leaves behind a legacy as a critical thinker, historic figure, and a champion for a media system built on democratic principles. His dedication to public discourse and influence on generations of journalists and scholars will continue to inspire those who strive for a more equitable and informed society.
