Democracy Needs a Free Press

Last Sunday, my wife and I attended our church's Democracy Circle, where journalist William Roberts shared the presentation below. It traces Donald Trump's relationship with the media—from the New York tabloids of the 1980s to today's battles over journalism, technology companies, and political power.

The presentation—shared below—explores how our information environment has changed, why independent journalism matters, and what happens when business interests, politics, and media become increasingly intertwined. It's a great review of how Donald Trump has manipulated and now weakened the media. 

When the media is manipulated and disinformation spreads, becomes harder for citizens to know what is true, trust one another, and work together for the common good—a topic I write about in Poverty Abolitionists. Reducing poverty and strengthening democracy both depend on citizens having access to trustworthy information, institutions willing to hold power accountable, and people who are committed to seeking the truth—even when it's uncomfortable.

One of the things I appreciate about our Democracy Circle is the opportunity to learn from thoughtful presentations like Bill's. They give us a chance to examine important issues together, ask hard questions, and think about what responsible citizenship requires. They are organized by the Workers Circle, a 125-year-old Jewish social justice organization, and I encourage you to learn more about them at circle.org. You might even consider starting a Democracy Circle in your own community.

I hope you'll take a little time to look through William Roberts' presentation. I also would like to encourage you to check out Bill's Substack: Truth to Power with William Roberts.

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Pope Leo on AI, World Hunger, and the 4th of July

Pope Leo XIV has recently made statements on artificial intelligence, world hunger, and the 4th of July.  In each case, he stressed respect for human dignity, grounded in God’s love for all people, as the basis for moral and political decisions. In each case, there is clearly tension between what is happening now and human dignity.  

In late May, he released his first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity): On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.

He discussed the downsides in how AI is being developed. But he argued that technology is not inherently good or bad. “It takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate, and use it,” he wrote. He noted that today’s AI is being developed by “certain highly powerful interests.” We live in a “world where data, computational resources and regulatory influence is in the hands of a few.” Without being explicit, he was clearly referring to tech billionaires, with support from the politicians they have rallied around. 

Pope Leo says that AI has been infected by what he calls the “culture of power.” Among the specific issues the encyclical discusses, Leo included the crisis of multilateralism in international relations. International cooperation has given way to “a disorderly and conflict-ridden multipolarism.”  

Magnifica Humanitas begins with two biblical stories.  First, the Tower of Babel, a symbol of elitist, destructive power.  Babel is contrasted with the biblical story of returned exiles working together to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. It concludes with reflections on the intrinsic dignity of human beings. God has chosen to dwell in us finite and fragile human beings. God’s love is what makes us magnificent.

Leo urges us to replace the currently dominant “culture of power” with a “culture of love.” A culture of love for all people is the basis for a humane development of artificial intelligence. 

Shortly after the release of Magnifica Humanitas, the Pope visited the World Food Program and delivered an address on world hunger. He spoke against a backdrop of rapid increases in extreme hunger, mostly in places like Gaza and Sudan that are afflicted by violent conflict.     

Leo’s address urged focus on the underlying reasons for growing hunger, principally the crisis of multilateralism. He calls for international cooperation — “so that all may receive their daily bread and live in dignity.”

On July 3, Pope Leo accepted an award from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, honoring his commitment to human dignity and freedom of conscience and expression. He spoke via livestream to a diverse convocation in Philadelphia and, beyond them, to the American people. 

He grounded his address in the Declaration of Independence and its affirmation of universal human rights. The language is shaped by the Enlightenment, but rooted in the Christian message of human dignity. His comments about the right to life called us to respect “the vulnerable and those whose worth is questioned,” specifically including immigrants. 

He also affirmed the first amendment to the U.S. Constitution regarding freedom of religion and conviction. He called for interfaith cooperation on community issues.

Pope Leo’s final words were, “God bless America.”

I would add, “Thank God for Pope Leo.”

Bread for the World’s Day of Action: Next Wednesday, June 10

This is a busy month for Congress, including decisions on a number of issues that are important to people struggling with poverty.  From the July 4 holiday to the November elections,  most members of Congress will be focused on campaigning, so they are under pressure to finalize legislation this month.

Please consider participating in Bread for the World’s Day of Action, June 10.  Hundreds of Bread for the World members (including me) will be in Washington for Bread’s Advocacy Summit, including June 10 lobby visits on hunger issues. Bread is inviting people across the country to contact their members of Congress on the same day and same issues.  More than 800 people have already signed up for long-distance advocacy.

Bread for the World has prepared a menu of issues on which we could win change:   funding for SNAP and WIC, instructions to the Administration to maintain current statistics on US food security, and international assistance focused on hunger and health.  As participants in the Advocacy Summit visit different members of Congress, they will focus on those issues on which their members of Congress are best positioned to have influence. Collectively, these in-person visits and Day of Action communications will let Congress know that we want them to make hunger a priority.

If you are willing to contribute to this impressive effort, sign up for the Day of Action.   On June 10, you will receive an email action alert.  You will be asked to communicate with one or all of your members of Congress on the issue where we have the best chance of winning big change.  Sign up here.

Learn the Issues

To learn more about this year’s Day of Action and the issues advocates will be discussing with Congress, watch this preparation seminar from Bread for the World organizers. The session offers practical guidance on effective advocacy and provides an overview of the domestic and global hunger issues that will be the focus of the Advocacy Summit and coordinated outreach efforts taking place across the country.