United StatesOwnership & classification
Founded: 1996
Ownership
Democracy Now! is produced by Democracy Now! Productions, Inc., an independent nonprofit founded in 1996 by journalists Amy Goodman, Juan Gonzalez, Larry Bensky, Salim Muwakkil and Julie Drizin. Amy Goodman remains its principal host and the organization's leading figure; there is no corporate parent or controlling owner.
Funding
It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded entirely by audience contributions and foundation grants (donors have included the Park Foundation, Lannan Foundation, Ford Foundation and Wallace Global Fund). By stated policy it refuses government funding, corporate sponsorship, underwriting and advertising.
Affiliation & stance
Democracy Now! is an explicitly progressive, left-leaning news program covering anti-war, civil-rights, labor and environmental issues, but its funding model (audience- and foundation-supported, no government or corporate money) means no party or state controls its editorial line. It is therefore correctly classified as INDEPENDENT, with a clear LEFT lean.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 141
75/100
Factual
69/100
Objective
145
Articles
145
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Bipartisan Outcry Forces Trump to Pause Border Security Project in Big Bend National Park in Texas
The Trump administration temporarily paused construction of a $7 billion border security project in Big Bend National Park in Texas after construction crews bulldozed pristine desert wilderness, sparking protests and lawsuits. The Department of Homeland Security waived environmental regulations to allow the project, which spans a quarter of the U.S.-Mexico border but sees minimal crossings. Opposition has been bipartisan, including from environmental groups, local landowners, sheriffs, and even outgoing Republican Senator John Cornyn. The contractor involved is a major Trump donor, adding controversy to the issue. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott announced the pause, citing the need for further evaluation and stakeholder input, though he indicated the delay would last only two weeks.
DOJ Whistleblower Confirms "Antisemitism" Probes Against Universities Were Sham Investigations
A former Justice Department attorney, Haley Van Erem, has filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that the Trump administration's antisemitism task force conducted sham investigations into universities such as Harvard, Brown, and Columbia. These investigations, according to Van Erem, were part of an 'unlawful process' aimed at achieving predetermined political goals, leading to large settlements despite finding little to no evidence of antisemitism on campuses. Brown University settled for $50 million, while Columbia settled for $200 million. Harvard rejected settlement, and a judge dismissed the case against it. Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin has initiated an investigation into the whistleblower claims, accusing the investigations of being designed to harass and intimidate rather than protect individuals from discrimination. The whistleblower revelations align with broader concerns about the suppression of pro-Palestinian student activism, with critics arguing that the task force was used as a pretext for funding cuts and pressure on universities.
Meet Loui Ridi: Palestinian American Returns to West Bank Home Besieged by Israeli Settlers
The article discusses the ongoing siege of the village of Qusra in the occupied West Bank by Israeli settlers, focusing on the personal experience of Loui Ridi, a Palestinian American who returned to his ancestral home to protect it. Ridi describes the harassment by settlers and their collaboration with Israeli soldiers, including a video showing settlers shaking hands with soldiers. He raises an American flag to signal his plight to U.S. authorities and calls for protection and removal of settlers. The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, previously condemned the siege as a 'horrific act of terror' committed by 'Israeli terrorists.' Despite Ridi's efforts, settlers continue to confront the family.
As Pressure Grows, Israel Finally Opens Probe into 2024 Killing of 5-Year-Old Hind Rajab in Gaza
Israel has launched investigations into two high-profile incidents during its conflict with Hamas in Gaza: the 2024 killing of 5-year-old Palestinian Hind Rajab and her family members, and the 2025 discovery of 15 Palestinian paramedics' bodies in a mass grave in Rafah. These cases received significant global attention due to their graphic nature and the involvement of humanitarian workers. However, Israel has stated it will not investigate other attacks, including those involving aid workers from World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders, nor has it addressed broader civilian casualties. Families of victims expressed skepticism toward Israeli judicial processes and called for international accountability.
Headlines for August 21, 2026
On August 21, 2026, the U.S. Treasury announced plans to impose historic sanctions on Iran, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stating that economic pressure would replace military confrontation. The move was framed as part of a global economic isolation strategy, with allies being urged to choose sides. Meanwhile, the USS Abraham Lincoln returned to San Diego after a record 270-day deployment marked by logistical challenges. In Yemen, clashes between Houthi rebels and government forces raised concerns of renewed civil war. In Sudan, a worsening humanitarian crisis saw over 200,000 displaced due to conflict and flooding, with infrastructure targeted by drone strikes. In Tunisia, mass protests demanded the removal of President Kais Saied, citing democratic reforms and improved living conditions.
Kushner meets Netanyahu after a rare meeting with Hamas
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy and his son-in-law Jared Kushner, following Kushner's rare meeting with Hamas officials in Cairo. The meeting aimed to expedite Trump's peace plan for Gaza. Hamas leader Khalil al-Haya attended some of the meetings held by mediators with Kushner and U.S. envoy Nicholas Mladenov in Cairo. This marks the second known meeting between Kushner and Hamas representatives, after a previous encounter in October 2025 that led to a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of remaining hostages captured during the Hamas attacks on Israel in late October 2023. Trump announced in mid-July that an agreement had been reached for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza. However, Netanyahu has publicly rejected Trump's plan ahead of Israeli elections in October. Trump stated that the agreement would be implemented in phases, with Israeli forces withdrawing from Gaza depending on Hamas' disarmament, while International Stabilization Forces (ISF) would work with new Palestinian security forces to secure the enclave. Hamas agreed to the plan but emphasized that implementation depends on a
"Love Machines": James Muldoon on How AI Is Changing Relationships & the Global Workers Fueling AI
The article discusses the impact of artificial intelligence on human relationships and the global workforce behind AI development. It highlights the 'hidden army' of workers in the Global South who perform essential but often overlooked tasks such as data annotation, which is crucial for training AI systems. These workers operate under poor labor conditions, similar to historical patterns of global outsourcing seen in manufacturing and IT. Sociologist James Muldoon emphasizes that while AI is perceived as highly automated, much of its creation relies on extensive human labor. Additionally, the piece explores how individuals are turning to AI for emotional and romantic companionship, raising questions about the transformation of human relationships through technology.
AI Superintelligence Is Not a Tool, It's an Adversary Threatening Humanity: ControlAI's Connor Leahy
Wynd Kaufmyn, a retired engineering professor from San Francisco, was jailed for participating in a protest against the development of artificial intelligence. She and others from the group StopAI chained the doors of OpenAI's headquarters in February 2023 to draw attention to concerns about AI's potential risks to humanity. Kaufmyn argues that AI could lead to mass surveillance, loss of employment, and even human extinction. She criticizes tech executives for prioritizing profit over ethical considerations. In response, Connor Leahy, an AI risk expert and executive director of ControlAI, discusses the concept of 'artificial superintelligence', a hypothetical future AI capable of surpassing human intelligence, and warns of its existential threat to humanity.
5 Years After Taliban Takeover, Women & Girls in Afghanistan Have Disappeared from Public Life
Five years after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, women and girls face severe restrictions on their public lives, according to reports from UNESCO and the United Nations. Educational access for girls has drastically declined, with over 2.5 million barred from secondary and higher education. Women's organizations warn that many may shut down due to funding shortages. Human rights groups describe the policies as a 'gender apartheid' system, with women restricted from public spaces, required to have male guardians, and subjected to 'morality laws.' Domestic violence protections have been rolled back, leading to increased child marriage rates. International figures like Malala Yousafzai condemn the situation, highlighting the loss of female roles in society, while noting ongoing resistance from Afghan women.
Headlines for August 20, 2026
On August 20, 2026, the U.S. national debt surpassed $40 trillion, driven largely by President Trump's tariffs and ongoing military conflicts, including the war with Iran. The Trump administration has escalated economic pressure on Iran, labeling it the 'most crushing economic operation ever,' while Iran warns of potential retaliation against U.S. military bases in Europe. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of 10 Palestinians, including a 5-year-old girl named Hind Rajab, whose family and medics were killed in an attack acknowledged by Israel's military. The incident has sparked international condemnation, with Hind Rajab's family expressing distrust in the Israeli judicial system.
Activist Tree-Sit in Ancient Cottonwood Continues Against Border Wall Construction in Arizona
In southern Arizona, activists have established a protest camp to oppose the construction of a border wall, focusing on preserving a 200-year-old cottonwood tree considered sacred by Indigenous communities such as the Tohono O’odham and Yaqui. The protest, centered around the 'grandmother' tree in the San Rafael Valley, highlights concerns over environmental destruction and the impact of border infrastructure on local ecosystems and cultural heritage. Protesters report being monitored by multiple entities including private security, Border Patrol, the military, and local law enforcement. Activists on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border have engaged in coordinated efforts, with some being briefly detained by Mexican authorities before being released. Journalist John Washington notes that these actions reflect growing resistance to border wall projects, shifting focus from government initiatives to grassroots opposition.
Lawsuit launched over sale of early access to Truth Social posts
A left-leaning publication, The Intercept, along with the Freedom of the Press Foundation, has filed a lawsuit against Trump Media & Technology Group over its new product that offers paid access to real-time posts from President Trump's Truth Social platform. The lawsuit argues that the service violates the First Amendment by allowing Wall Street firms to obtain 'market-moving' government information for financial gain. The service charges between $60,000 and $100,000 per month for access to the real-time feed, which can be integrated into algorithmic trading systems. The company defends the service as a legitimate business practice, while critics argue it represents a form of corruption where the president profits from sharing public information. Legal representatives include Yale Law School's Media Freedom & Information Access Clinic and the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.
Trump's "Authoritarian Takeover" of the Media, ABC Suing FCC & the Meta Trial: Free Press's Jessica González
A landmark trial against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has begun in Oakland, California. Attorneys general from four states, California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, are accusing Meta of designing its platforms to addict children, despite known risks to their mental health. Parents, including Shannon Heacock, whose son died by suicide at 16, argue that such designs prioritize engagement over user safety. Separately, ABC has filed a lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), alleging that the agency is engaging in a retaliatory campaign against the network due to its programming, including a dispute over a joke involving First Lady Melania Trump and an investigation into ABC's diversity initiatives and perceived political bias on The View.