The Importance of Non-Profit Local Media in This Era

By Arthur Schwartz

We have entered a really scary era in American history.

Before the 2024 election Donald Trump sued lots of media companies about how they covered him, and rarely, if ever, won. In one case his lawyers were assessed sanctions for bringing a frivolous lawsuit against Hillary Clinton, and Judge Middlebrooks stated: “Mr. Trump is a prolific and sophisticated litigant who is repeatedly using the courts to seek revenge on political adversaries. He is the mastermind of strategic abuse of the judicial process, and he cannot be seen as a litigant blindly following the advice of a lawyer. He knew full well the impact of his actions.” Middlebrooks wrote, “As such, I find that sanctions should be imposed upon Mr. Trump and his lead counsel, Ms. Habba.”

Now that prolific litigator is president, and he is wielding power in a way that no president ever has. He signs executive orders barring law firms from federal buildings. He had barred the Associated Press from even appearing in the White House. Lawsuits that ABC and CNN deemed frivolous a year ago were settled with millions going to Trump “charities.” He even sued a pollster who said he would lose to Kamala Harris in Iowa. As a private citizen, Trump was involved in more than 4,000 lawsuits. Now he is directing his Attorney General, who praises Trump in every other sentence when she speaks, to do the same, using the power of the US Attorney’s office. Jeff Bezos has taken control of the Washington Post editorial page, which he had promised not to go near. Paul Krugman and Charles Blow left the NY Times, complaining about censorship. Trump has demanded a say in university curricula, and the professors they hire. Material people write is being studied by “Homeland Security.” So far, his targets have been foreign nationals, even those who are permanent residents with green cards, who have been arrested on the street and detained in Louisiana. One day soon, it may be a US citizen, accused of “assisting a foreign enemy,” by publishing something the government did, or something Trump said. The McCarthy period saw much of the same – it could happen again.

As a result, much of the media, but not all, has cowered. But Village View will not. We are the voice of a vibrant community, which may be scared, but which is raising its voice. We need your help to survive. All our writers and contributors work for free. But we have paid staff, and printing 12,000 copies of our paper costs money. We would like to distribute more, and expand past 3rd Avenue, the boundary of distribution now. We would like to have events. Ads help. If you know a business that advertises, ask them. There is a bill pending in Albany which will give a tax credit to advertisers in local papers like ours. If you can donate, please do. We have a QR Code in the paper, or you can send a check to us at 225 Broadway Suite 1902, NY, NY 10007. And if you have something to say, write something. Send it to editor@villageview.nyc.

We will survive the next 4 years – IF WE STAND TOGETHER and keep our voices up. The American people are already rebelling. Even if the Democratic Party is in disarray Trumpy candidates aren’t doing very well. Most Americans don’t like to see tens of thousands fired, health care slashed, and a president dancing cheek to cheek with Putin. Let Village View be your voice.