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
- Progressivebased on 145
79/100
Factual
72/100
Objective
152
Articles
152
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
Far Right Makes Gains in Brazil as Flávio Bolsonaro Tops Lula in First Round of Presidential Race
Brazil's presidential election will proceed to a runoff between leftist incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and far-right Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, as neither candidate secured over 50% of the vote in the first round. Flávio Bolsonaro received 47% of the vote, while Lula received 45%. The second round of voting is scheduled for October 25. If elected, Flávio Bolsonaro has pledged to grant amnesty to his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest for planning a coup in 2022 to overturn Lula's previous victory. Additionally, Flávio Bolsonaro has expressed intentions to strengthen relations with the Trump administration, which has been accused of attempting to influence the election outcome in his favor. Brazilian philosopher Rodrigo Nunes attributes the rise of the far right to public disillusionment with politics, noting that many view the far right as offering relief from increasingly competitive societal conditions.
Meet Issa Amro: Palestinian Human Rights Advocate Attacked by Settlers, Detained by Israeli Army
Issa Amro, a Palestinian human rights advocate and founder of the Hebron-based organization Youth Against Settlements, was detained by Israeli soldiers for seven hours after intervening in an incident where Israeli settlers allegedly attacked a Palestinian family near Hebron in the occupied West Bank. According to Amro, Israeli soldiers ignored the settlers and instead arrested him, handcuffing and blindfolding him before transporting him to a military base. He was released following international pressure. Amro emphasized that such incidents are common for Palestinian activists and called for making the occupation and alleged apartheid more costly for those committing human rights violations.
"I Am Jane Doe": Cornell Case Reignites Debate over Rape Culture, Frats & Prosecuting Sex Crimes
The article discusses the 2024 sexual assault case involving a Cornell University fraternity, where seven male students were implicated in drugging and gang-rapping a female student identified as Jane Doe. The university's initial investigation resulted in expulsions for two individuals and lesser penalties for the others. However, local authorities, including Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, initially decided not to pursue criminal charges. This decision has led to renewed public criticism and calls for accountability. In response, the New York Governor has appointed a special prosecutor to re-examine how the case was handled. Law professor Deborah Tuerkheimer highlights a broader issue of systemic failure in addressing sex crimes, noting that investigators often dismiss cases prematurely.
Headlines for October 5, 2026
The article presents a collection of international news headlines covering various topics. Brazil's presidential election has moved to a runoff, while the U.S. has removed bombs from a military base due to concerns over an alleged Iranian-backed plot. Iran warns that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed, and Yemen's forces announce a new operation against the Houthis. An Israeli airstrike in Gaza kills five Palestinians. The UK's Green Party classifies Zionism as racism, and Cornell University's president supports an independent probe into a gang rape incident. Tennessee's prison chief resigns after a botched execution attempt, and a federal judge blocks further construction of a border wall. Trump appoints a new AI czar, and large protests occur in Spain and France over housing and school conditions. In India, a movement demands the resignation of the chief election commissioner.
"The School That Became a Grave": Jeremy Scahill on U.S Bombing of Minab, Killing 120+ Iranian Kids
Drop Site News released an investigation into the U.S. bombing of a children's school in Minab, Iran, on February 28, during the U.S.-Israeli conflict. The attack killed at least 156 people, including 120 children, 26 teachers, and others. A UN fact-finding mission labeled the strike a war crime, but the Trump administration has not acknowledged U.S. responsibility. Jeremy Scahill, lead investigator, describes the attack as intentional, noting multiple direct hits on the school and subsequent strikes targeting rescuers. Satellite images showed the site as a civilian facility prior to the attack, contradicting claims of military use.
"Cruel & Torturous": Christa Pike in Critical Condition After Botched Tennessee Execution
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has paused executions statewide after a botched lethal injection attempt on Christa Pike, a death row inmate who survived the procedure. Pike, who was 18 during a 1995 murder committed with her abusive boyfriend, was injected with two doses of pentobarbital but remained conscious for over two hours. Her legal team had previously argued that a single-dose lethal injection could constitute torture due to her small veins. Pike is now hospitalized in critical condition and becomes the first person in U.S. history to survive a lethal injection. Experts describe the execution as one of the most agonizing in the country’s history and question whether Pike should have received the death penalty, citing her mental health struggles and traumatic background.
Headlines for October 2, 2026
The article presents a collection of news headlines covering multiple global events. Christa Pike was hospitalized in critical condition after surviving what she described as a 'cruel and torturous' execution. The U.S. Pentagon has deployed a third carrier strike group and Marines to the Middle East amid intensified fighting between Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed forces in Yemen. U.K. police arrested a British-Iranian dual national under investigation for alleged plot-related activities at an air base. A DoorDash driver was shot by ICE agents and underwent surgery to remove a bullet after waiting 11 days. The family of Renee Good sued ICE agent Jonathan Ross and top U.S. officials. President Trump began his 'Red State' campaign tour supporting Texas GOP Senate candidate Ken Paxton. A New Jersey data center operated unpermitted gas generators for nearly a year, contributing to air pollution. New York Attorney General Letitia James appointed a special prosecutor in a Cornell gang rape case. Ethiopia and Eritrea severed diplomatic ties as Tigray rebels claimed drone strikes on Addis Ababa. Brazil prepares for a presidential election between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former总统.
Rise of the Far Right in Germany Raises Fear of an Even Wider Crackdown on Migration
The article discusses the rising influence of Germany's far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, noting its significant electoral gains in September state elections. It quotes Wiebke Judith from PRO ASYL, an organization advocating for asylum seekers' rights, who describes these results as deeply concerning for democracy. She highlights the potential dangers posed by the AfD's anti-immigration policies to refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, and ethnic minorities. The piece frames the AfD's success as a troubling development within Germany's political landscape.
"Berlin 4" Lawyer on Pro-Palestine Protest Crackdown & Germany's Unconditional Support for Israel
Amy Goodman reports from Berlin on the German government's crackdown on pro-Palestine activism, framed through the concept of 'Staatsräson' or 'reason of state,' which prioritizes maintaining the Israeli state due to historical ties to the Holocaust. This policy manifests in military aid to Israel and strict enforcement against Palestinian advocacy within Germany. Lawyer Alexander Gorski, representing the 'Berlin Four', three EU citizens and one U.S. citizen facing deportation over their participation in pro-Palestine protests, argues that Germany uses immigration laws to suppress anti-Zionist activism, equating it with antisemitism. Gorski highlights Germany's dual responsibility: addressing antisemitism while learning from the Holocaust that 'never again' applies universally.
The Real Existential Risk Is AI CEOs Avoiding Oversight: "Alternative Nobel" Winner Timnit Gebru
Timnit Gebru, a prominent AI researcher and critic of the industry, has been recognized with the 2026 Right Livelihood Award for her work exposing the risks and exaggerations surrounding the rapid development of artificial intelligence. In an interview, Gebru criticizes tech leaders such as Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and Dario Amodei for promoting their AI systems as infallible and powerful while advocating for self-regulation to bypass traditional legal accountability. She argues that the emphasis on AI posing an existential threat to humanity is exaggerated, and instead highlights concerns about regulatory capture, where industry interests influence the creation of rules that favor them.
Headlines for October 1, 2026
The article covers multiple news stories from October 1, 2026. Tennessee has halted executions after condemned prisoner Christa Pike survived lethal injections, raising questions about the death penalty's reliability. Pete Hegseth announces 'AutoWarCom' to oversee autonomous drones and robots, signaling increased military automation. A judge orders the Pentagon to justify lethal boat strikes, highlighting concerns over targeted killings. Passengers report a pilot attempted to crash an airliner bound for Israel, prompting security alerts. Palestinians hold a mass funeral for 105 killed by Israeli forces, underscoring ongoing tensions. Cambridge for Palestine urges city officials to divest from Israel, reflecting growing calls for economic pressure. An immigration judge rules against Salah Sarsour, allowing deportation, while the DOJ indicts 10 in Minnesota for voter fraud and accuses judges of misconduct.
80 Years After Nuremberg Trials, U.S. Leads Assault on ICC & International Law: Wolfgang Kaleck
Eighty years after the Nuremberg Trials, the Trump administration has criticized the International Criminal Court (ICC), particularly its investigation into potential war crimes by Israeli leaders in Gaza. President Trump referred to the ICC as a 'rogue institution' and encouraged nations to reject it. Wolfgang Kaleck, a legal expert and author, highlights the irony that U.S. prosecutors played a central role in establishing the Nuremberg Trials, which set precedents for international justice.
"No Land to Stand On": Mahmoud Khalil on His Memoir, Palestine, Fighting Deportation & Suing Columbia
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist, recounts his experience of being detained for 104 days in a Louisiana ICE jail under the Trump administration due to his pro-Palestine activism at Columbia University. He was targeted for deportation and missed the birth of his first child while separated from his U.S. citizen wife, Noor Abdalla. Khalil has filed civil rights lawsuits against both the government and Columbia University over his treatment. In his memoir, 'No Land to Stand On,' he highlights the broader impact of the U.S. immigration detention system on individuals seeking safety and a better life, emphasizing the lack of legal charges and evidence against him despite prolonged detention.