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How Independent Journalists Can Save Democracy

Note: This article focuses on Trump supporters within your followers’ circles, but it also applies to folks they know who are non-voters.

The 2024 election was less about character and intelligence and more about the success of decades of increasingly advanced propaganda and disinformation, culminating in a highly sophisticated, well-funded, high-tech assault on our minds. In hindsight, it’s clear that Democrats and too many journalists had no idea what democracy was up against.

Trump and the oligarchs won. The Republicans will do little to check either. Conservative disinformation and foreign propaganda will surge while mainstream media will be further intimidated into whitewashing reality. The Democrats will remain feckless and powerless. 

Reducing Trump’s support may be the only way to give Congress the courage to push back against his assault on democracy. The only way to do that is for everyday Americans to reclaim those friends and family members who’ve been misled into supporting him. That means we must engage with Trump supporters in our lives. So yes, it falls to us—the regular folks—to save America. If we don’t step up, no one else will—but we can’t do it alone.

Unfortunately, many Americans are understandably repulsed by the idea of talking to their Trump-supporting friends and family right now, but Democracy desperately needs these conversations. Regardless of being hard-core MAGA or simply uninformed, his voters (and non-voters) were in the dark, and we let them rot there – let’s not make that mistake again.

The good news is that many Trump voters already regret their choice, and others will soon follow as the consequences of his second term set in.  It will be much easier to talk to them when they can actually see, and in some cases, feel the pain he is causing. We must use this moment to help them replace their misguided loyalties with a renewed commitment to collective well-being.

Further simplifying things is that these “conversations” don’t need to be overt attempts at returning Trump supporters to reality. They can be more about sowing the seeds that will help folks come around on their own.

But make no mistake, these conversations can be difficult—and this is where independent journalists can make a differenc

The Ask

Saving democracy will require a grassroots effort, and it’s critical that you, as independent journalists, podcasters, etc., drive this point home to your followers. They’ll need to understand their role in closing the divide, grounding people in reality, and amplifying the few remaining voices of truth. Independent journalists, encouraging and driving kitchen table conversations, might be our only hope.

However, for reasons outside the scope of this article, your followers may easily mishandle these conversations, leading to frustration and counterproductive outcomes. It’s not enough to tell your followers to run off and have the chats – they will need ongoing help.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel—there are already clear, easily digestible resources out there to help guide these conversations. It won’t take much effort to review these resources and determine which ones will resonate with your audience.

One of the biggest challenges we face is the lack of any real structure or organization guiding these crucial conversations. There’s no national effort coordinating those who are skilled at facilitating tough discussions with the people who most need to be having them. Independent journalists are uniquely positioned to fill this gap — trusted by their audiences, connected to real communities, and capable of bridging insight with action.

You have the opportunity to help save democracy by reconnecting Americans with each other and the truth. Below, we explore the reasoning behind this and how it could take shape on your platform.

How Independent Journalists Save Democracy

You Have the Trust that Institutions Have Lost

Many Americans, particularly those who distrust mainstream media, turn to independent journalists because they see them as more honest, aligned with their values, and free from institutional agendas. You have been vetted and trusted—your followers have invested in you. This trust gives you a unique ability to inspire these conversations in ways that traditional media cannot.

You Provide Clarity for these Conversations

You spend countless hours crafting thoughtful, fact-based content that enlightens your followers—now empower them to spread the message. Your reporting can inform, but when your followers strategically carry that clarity into conversations, it has the power to transform.

Disinformation Thrives in Silence—Your Audience Can Make Some Noise

Silence allows disinformation to take root. Many recognize their loved ones are consuming and spreading false narratives, but feel powerless to address the issue. Without guidance, they either avoid the conversation entirely or engage in unproductive, frustrating debates that often backfire.

Our unwillingness to engage with Trump supporters only strengthens the influence of those who have captured them.

Expand Your Reach Beyond the Like-Minded

A major challenge for independent journalists is that their work often reaches only those who already share their views. While this strengthens and informs their existing audience, it does little to reach those who need it most. To be truly effective, independent journalists must find ways to reach beyond their usual audience—including those who wouldn’t normally subscribe.

Your followers collectively have far greater influence than you alone. If even a fraction of them—and those following other independent journalists—engage in meaningful conversations, the ripple effect can be profound.

Without this kind of outreach, independent journalism risks becoming an echo chamber rather than a catalyst for change.

Provide Continuous Encouragement

By guiding and equipping your followers, you empower them to start conversations that might never happen otherwise—and to stay engaged even when those discussions become difficult. When people feel supported, they are far more likely to persist.

Disinformation spreads through relentless repetition—counter it with relentless encouragement. The more you urge people to engage, the more likely they are to speak up.

 What This Might Look Like

Leverage existing tools and resources
    • Don’t reinvent the wheel – a partial (and growing) list is at the bottom of this page
    • Identify which existing resources make sense for your audience and keep sharing these resources through your various mediums
    • Take your own deeper dive so that you can better help your audience
Push the Message Regularly
    • Consistently encourage followers to reach out to friends and family—don’t just mention it occasionally.
    • Establish a dedicated time slot to encourage, provide a “tip of the day”, and share success stories
    • Push this on all your content mediums
Develop a Community Aspect
    • Followers could share experiences & strategies (through your social media, article replies, forums, etc.) to refine the approach.
    • Maintain a “small wins” campaign—stories of people making progress, even in small ways, to keep motivation high.
Expand your Content
    • Create space on your platform to support this effort
    • Links to various approaches to these conversations
    • Include references to supportive articles
    • Share success stories
    • The idea is to expand your content with minimal impact on your normal workload
Grow your Subscriber Base
    • Unfortunately, the reach of the right-wing information bubble will expand, and their rhetoric will get much worse
    • Platforms like BlueSky and Threads will likely follow the path of X/Twitter, while Facebook will continue to decline—leaving independent journalists with fewer ways to get their message out
    • The clarity you provide to your followers is crucial, but both it and they remain trapped in a bubble.
    • Encourage your followers to regularly share your content with friends and family—and to support independent journalism as a whole.

Conclusion:

This Is How We Defend Democracy

The decline of democracy isn’t just about bad policies or corrupt politicians—it’s about the erosion of truth and the manipulation of public perception. Many Trump voters are not unreachable, but they are trapped in a media environment designed to reinforce their beliefs. We must use this moment to help them replace their misguided loyalties with a renewed commitment to collective well-being.

Your journalism can provide facts, but personal conversations can challenge narratives at a deeper and more emotional level. By empowering your followers to engage, you’re extending your journalistic mission beyond reporting—you’re actively contributing to the rebuilding of a culture of truth. Democracy will not be defended from the top down; it will be saved through individual actions, echoed across countless meaningful conversations.

If there’s any hope for change, it won’t come from mainstream media. As an independent journalist, you have the opportunity to be part of a grassroots effort like this—one that aligns with your anti-establishment, truth-seeking mindset. It could even grow your audience by connecting you to a movement that people are hungry for.

Send any feedback or collaboration interest to:

admin@democracyrebooted.com

A (growing) list of tools and resources