By Inderjit Badhwar
In a world increasingly dominated by the fusion of wealth and power, the assault on the American press documented by veteran journalist Kenneth Tiven is both chilling and profoundly consequential—not only for the United States, but for all democracies that draw strength and inspiration from the free press tradition America once so proudly championed.
For decades, the resilience and independence of the American press served as a beacon to journalists across the globe, particularly in countries like India where the press has played a pivotal role in holding the powerful accountable. The Watergate investigation, led by The Washington Post, inspired a generation of Indian journalists to pursue truth despite political pressure. The fearless reporting of CNN and MSNBC on issues ranging from human rights abuses to corporate corruption set benchmarks in global journalism, reaffirming the value of independent media in safeguarding democracy.
But as Tiven’s searing analysis reveals, this proud tradition is now under siege. Donald Trump’s relentless war on the press—using both overt intimidation and covert economic pressure—has not only threatened the First Amendment at home, but has sent shockwaves across the global journalistic community. Even more troubling than Trump’s open hostility is the apparent willingness of once-stalwart defenders of press freedom to bend, self-censor, or align themselves with political and economic power for survival.
The most sobering example, as highlighted in Tiven’s piece, is the capitulation of The Washington Post under Jeff Bezos’ ownership to editorial restrictions driven not by principle, but by business expediency. The reported curbs on dissenting opinions and the silencing of critical voices at the paper—which once held a president to account and helped topple him—symbolizes a stunning reversal in the role of mainstream media. This betrayal of principles for the sake of political accommodation or corporate gain has triggered alarm bells far beyond American borders.
Here in India, we have long looked to American media as an exemplar of resilience. When political pressures mount in New Delhi or state capitals, when journalists are arrested for inconvenient truths, we have often reminded ourselves that even in the most challenging times, American journalists stood firm. When we saw CNN reporters ejected from Trump rallies or MSNBC hosts facing smears and threats, we expected them to fight back with even greater resolve. Instead, as Tiven documents, we see shrinking audiences, compromised editorial policies, and corporate cost-cutting taking precedence over the courageous journalism that once defined these institutions.
This matters to India, and it matters to every democracy where free speech is a fragile, hard-won right. A weakened American press is not just an American problem; it is a global one. When the nation that authored the First Amendment begins to lose faith in its own free press, authoritarian leaders elsewhere gain a dangerous new argument: If America’s press can be tamed, why not ours? If American media can be co-opted by billionaires eager to curry favour with political power, why shouldn’t others follow suit?
Yet, even in this bleak landscape, there is a glimmer of hope—a hope we at India Legal believe must be nurtured. As Tiven notes, while mainstream media falters, a new generation of independent journalists, YouTubers, and alternative media platforms are stepping into the breach. These digital warriors, often operating on shoestring budgets, are not beholden to corporate masters or political patrons. They are unafraid to call out corruption, to expose inconvenient truths, and to challenge the narratives crafted by government propaganda machines.
Across the world—from India to the United States, from Brazil to South Africa—these digital platforms are earning the trust of audiences disillusioned by the cozy embrace between billionaires and governments. These platforms, with their unpolished, but authentic voices, are reclaiming the core purpose of journalism: to speak truth to power. Their rise is not just a rebellion against compromised legacy media; it is a declaration that the spirit of press freedom, though bruised, is far from broken.
At India Legal, we stand in solidarity with these courageous journalists. We also remind our readers that freedom is never a permanent gift; it must be defended, renewed, and reclaimed in every generation. The fate of the American press is not an isolated struggle. It is a chapter in the larger story of global democracy—and its outcome will shape the future of press freedom everywhere.