Information has always been a battleground between elites and the masses, from kings and churches to modern media corporations. The internet promised to democratize information, but powerful individuals and companies have centralized control once again. New Press aims to reclaim the internet's promise by fostering community-driven, in-depth journalism free from algorithmic control and paywalls.
Information has always been power, and throughout history, it has been caught in a tug-of-war between elites and the masses. For centuries, information was tightly controlled by kings, emperors, and the church, who guarded the few handwritten books that existed. This monopoly on information allowed them to control what people thought and believed.
The invention of the printing press by a German inventor revolutionized this dynamic. By covering metal words in ink and pressing them onto paper, information was unlocked to the masses. This was not unique to Europe; China had been using printing technology for a long time as well. The printing press diminished the control of kings and the church over the narrative, leading people to question established stories and sparking new discoveries and revolutions. This explosion of ideas redefined who should rule and how society should function.
The authors of the American Revolution understood the vital role of free information. They enshrined in the founding documents that the government could not control the flow of information from the press, recognizing it as sacred and essential to the revolution's success.
Information continued to flow to the masses through cheap printed paper, but elites never stopped trying to control it. The press evolved into broadcasting information through waves in the air, first as sound and later as moving images reaching millions live. This new form of media was controlled by a few large corporations that could afford the expensive infrastructure.
In some countries, regimes manipulated information to control what people believed and who they were allowed to be. In mid-20th century America, although information was centralized in a few companies, these companies were held accountable by government policies like the fairness doctrine, which required balanced journalism serving the public interest. This led to a shared national reality and a common definition of truth.
However, in the 1980s, deregulation led to the demise of the fairness doctrine. Journalism shifted from a public service to a profit-maximizing business, prioritizing attention, ratings, and opinions over truth and substance. Powerful interests once again sought to control information, but the internet was about to change the game.
The internet emerged as the ultimate democratizer of mass communication. It promised to end the cycle of powerful people controlling information flow. Unlike traditional media, no single organization owned or controlled the internet. It celebrated the right to speak and be heard, enabling anyone to share information globally.
This new medium allowed a single video to spark revolutions, young people to lead movements with short messages, and secrets and corruption to be exposed instantly to millions. The internet seemed poised to bring about a more rational, transparent, and less dogmatic political landscape.
However, the internet also introduced new challenges. Programmers created algorithms to summarize and personalize news feeds, initially to aggregate friends' updates but soon expanding to all kinds of information. These algorithms learned users' tastes and began showing content tailored to confirm identities and opinions, often demonizing opposing views.
At the same time, the world's richest individuals began consolidating control over the infrastructure and platforms through which information flows. Traditional media also centralized around a few powerful companies and individuals. For example, Larry Ellison and his family have been acquiring major media outlets, including CBS, CNN, HBO, Warner Brothers, and Discovery Channel, as well as investing in TikTok's US operations.
This concentration of control threatens the internet's promise to democratize information, as a few wealthy people now influence what billions see and believe.
Despite these challenges, there is hope. Millions of people worldwide engage with in-depth, curiosity-driven journalism to better understand the world. The internet's promise is not dead; it is being hijacked.
To reclaim this promise, New Press has been launched. New Press is not just another media company; it is an idea that journalism can be done differently — with people, not just at people.
Creators and Channels: New Press consists of journalists and creators who each run their own channels, driven by personal curiosity and perspective. Channels include those by creators like Sam Ellis (Surge Party), Kristoff Hoerson (Tunnel Vision), Max Fischer (former New York Times columnist), and others. These channels focus on bringing genuine understanding to important global events through in-depth journalism rather than breaking news.
Community Platform: NewPress.com is an algorithm-free space where the audience can engage deeply with journalism. Users can ask questions, gain insights into ongoing stories, and contribute their unique knowledge and perspectives. This crowdsourced journalism approach leverages collective intelligence to make reporting stronger, more representative, and more accurate.
An example of this approach involved a mysterious old Japanese map. The New Press community collaborated to analyze and interpret the map, pooling knowledge from thousands of map enthusiasts worldwide. This collective effort led to deeper insights than any individual could have achieved alone.
New Press is free to join and participate in, ensuring the widest and most diverse group of voices can contribute. To sustain the platform, there is an optional paid membership at $60 per year. Paying members receive additional benefits such as exclusive content, Q&A sessions, and early access to new features. Importantly, paying members do not have more influence than free members; all voices are equal in contributing to journalism.
Funds from memberships support more creators, new channels, and the production of in-depth videos, helping scale the effort to reimagine journalism.
We are once again at a pivotal moment where powerful interests seek to control information flows. But with initiatives like New Press and the engagement of millions of curious individuals worldwide, there is a path to reclaiming the internet's original promise.
By fostering a community-driven, transparent, and honest approach to journalism, we can create a space where information empowers rather than manipulates. The future of information lies in collective curiosity and understanding, not centralized control.
Join the movement at NewPress.com and help build a better, more informed world.
