In recent years, a seismic shift in public trust has rocked the media landscape. Legacy media, once the gold standard of information, is now struggling to remain relevant. The reason is simple: they’ve lost the trust of the people. Instead of presenting balanced narratives, they seem to thrive on division, wielding politics, religion, sexuality, and race as tools to pit disenfranchised groups against each other.

The Bias of Legacy Media

Legacy media operates under the pretense of impartiality, yet their reporting consistently shows otherwise. They attack whoever holds power, regardless of context, and when they’re called out, they double down instead of admitting fault. This lack of accountability erodes public trust, making people turn to alternative sources for news and analysis.

Take, for instance, the narrative around executive orders. Legacy outlets have painted sweeping executive orders as power grabs, depending on who’s in office. The same media that criticized Donald Trump for signing 26 executive orders in his first week overlooked the fact that Franklin D. Roosevelt, who faced the twin crises of the Great Depression and WWII, holds the all-time record. Context matters. Presidents often use executive orders to quickly address crises, whether Nixon navigating the Vietnam War or Trump managing immigration reform. Yet, legacy media rarely provides this context, instead opting for sensationalism that serves their agenda.

For example, a 2021 CNN article highlighted Biden’s 60 executive actions in his first 100 days, many of which focused on immigration. These policies, while well-intentioned, arguably created the border crisis we’re witnessing now. Meanwhile, Trump’s swift action in signing executive orders to “drain the swamp” and address criminal immigration was lambasted as overreach by outlets like Reuters. The media’s inconsistency reveals its agenda: to inflame rather than inform.

The Rise of Independent Media

Independent media, by contrast, is thriving because it acknowledges its biases and prioritizes truth. These journalists often take to the streets, speaking directly to the people and capturing the nuance legacy media ignores. Nate Friedman, for example, has gained a following by showing varying perspectives in a raw, unfiltered format. His approach reminds us that all voices deserve to be heard—not just the ones that align with our own beliefs.

This boots-on-the-ground style resonates with a public desperate for authenticity. People are tired of being told what to think by polished anchors and pundits who seem more interested in pushing narratives than uncovering facts. Independent journalists are willing to have hard conversations, ask tough questions, and present multiple sides of a story. That transparency builds trust.

America’s Struggle: The Bigger Picture

The media’s role in shaping public opinion cannot be overstated. Divisive reporting has contributed to the polarization we see today. Immigration, for instance, is a flashpoint issue that highlights how disconnected legacy media is from working-class Americans. Many feel unheard by policies that prioritize non-citizens over citizens struggling to make ends meet.

The working poor often can’t access Medicaid or food assistance, yet their tax dollars fund programs for immigrants. This inequity fuels resentment, but instead of exploring these frustrations, legacy media paints these concerns as xenophobic. Independent journalists, on the other hand, bring these voices to the forefront, showing the human side of these grievances.

A Call for Truth

If legacy media wants to survive, they need to rethink their approach. People don’t want propaganda; they want truth. They want context, nuance, and honesty. Until that happens, independent media will continue to rise, filling the void left by a crumbling institution.

The public deserves better than clickbait headlines and divisive narratives. We deserve journalism that respects our intelligence and values our voices. Whether it’s discussing executive orders, immigration, or any other contentious topic, the goal should always be to inform, not inflame.

Independent journalists are leading the way, proving that honesty and transparency still matter. It’s time we demand the same from legacy media—or let them fade into irrelevance.