Robert W. McChesney: A Pioneer in Media Criticism

Introduction to His Work

Robert W. McChesney, a renowned left-wing media critic, passed away on March 25 at the age of 72 due to complications from glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. McChesney was a vocal advocate for the notion that corporate ownership of media outlets was detrimental to American journalism and that the dominance of Silicon Valley billionaires over online information posed a significant threat to democracy.

Early Life and Career

Born on December 22, 1952, in Cleveland, McChesney grew up in the suburb of Shaker Heights. He attended Pomfret, a preparatory school in northeastern Connecticut, and later graduated from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, with a degree in politics and business. McChesney’s early career involved working as a sports writer for UPI and editor at The Seattle Sun, before becoming the publisher of The Rocket, a Seattle music magazine that covered the origins of the grunge rock scene in the 1980s and 1990s! He then pursued a Ph.D. in communication at the University of Washington, which he completed in 1989.

Academic and Professional Contributions

McChesney taught in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a decade. He later moved to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he became a professor in the communication department. Throughout his career, McChesney authored numerous books and articles, including "Rich Media, Poor Democracy" (1999) and "Digital Disconnect: How Capitalism Turns the Internet Against Democracy" (2013). His work primarily focused on the impact of corporate media on democratic norms and the effects of capitalism on the development of the internet.

Critique of Corporate Media and Capitalism

McChesney argued that the profit motive and commercialism inherent in contemporary corporate capitalism were fundamental to understanding the development of the internet and its potential impact on democracy. He believed that the consolidation of media ownership and the rise of online platforms dominated by a few large corporations threatened the diversity of viewpoints and the health of democratic discourse. McChesney also proposed a state takeover of internet services, making them a quasi-public service like the postal system, to address the issue of monopolies.

Advocacy and Activism

McChesney was an unapologetic socialist who advocated for significant reforms to the media system. He suggested that the government provide all Americans with $200 vouchers to donate to non-profit news agencies of their choice. McChesney also campaigned for Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential bid and wrote a book, "Dollarocracy: How the Media and the Election Complex Are Undermining America," with John Nichols, which Sanders endorsed.

Legacy and Impact

McChesney’s work has had a significant impact on the field of media criticism and the broader discussion about the role of capitalism in shaping the internet and democratic discourse. He was recognized as one of the "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World" by Utne Reader in 2008. Despite facing criticism from conservative writers, such as David Horowitz, who included him on a list of "101 Most Dangerous Academics in America," McChesney remained a prominent voice in the debate about the future of media and democracy.

Personal Life and Later Work

In addition to his wife, Inger Stahl, McChesney is survived by his daughters, Amy and Lucy, and a brother, Samuel P. McChesney III. In his later work, McChesney explored the impact of artificial intelligence and the digital revolution on employment and democracy. His book "People Get Ready: The Fight Against a Jobless Economy and a Citizenless Democracy" (2016), co-authored with John Nichols, argued that capitalism was ill-equipped to handle the technological revolution and its consequences for employment and democratic participation.