There’s no such thing as a “free press.” It always comes at a cost. For years, I painted Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook fence for free. But goodbye to all that. As a longtime historian and journalist, I feel that my labor and expertise is worth something. And I hope you agree.
For a contribution of just $25 a year (or $50 for those who can afford it), you’ll keep this independent journalism alive, allowing me to post frequently, including scoops and insights you can’t find anywhere else.
After writing a half-dozen books over the past 15 years, I want to not just plumb the mysteries of the past, but to use my historical knowledge to shed light on our current upheavals. My books have revealed how America ended up in such a dark place, and have told the heroic stories of those who imagined and fought for a more just and peaceful society. I want to use my new blog to focus on the critical events and conflicts of today, as America – and the world -- struggle to be reborn.
“Information wants to be free” was the cynical mantra of a new media elite who captured the digital revolution. I was part of this original communication revolution as the founder of the pioneering online publication Salon. But our brave new public domain was taken over by a few gigantic corporations. We now need to liberate ourselves from these exploitive corporate platforms.
Please join the David Talbot Show and support a new journalism. And please join the lively discussion that my posts will generate. As the show grows, we’ll be joining a wider network of other independent media producers.
That was my vision when we started Salon way back in 1995 -- a freewheeling digital universe of liberated voices. It’s time to declare our independence again.