The Bulwark - Everything People Say They Want From the News Media
Cable news is stale, legacy media institutions are flailing, and The Bulwark is picking up the slack.
I know a lot of you want something more from the news media. I mean, you deserve more from the news media. At the time when we need the news media the most, they are in trouble (often due to their own decisions).
Which is why I’m using this space to recommend subscribing to The Bulwark.
First and foremost, they are an independent media company. They weren’t bought by a billionaire like Jeff Bezos and are looking to now gain favor with Trump to protect their rocket company or e-commerce website at the expense of The Washington Post. They aren’t owned by a large media company like Disney and are having to protect the wider business by fighting with Trump over something that is happening with ABC News.
They are a subscription based news media company.
Most news media companies are obsessed with “balance” or whatever. As a result, they will have to “give time” to people that are just going to lie to their audience. Have you watched something like “Meet the Press” lately? This is rhetorical given that very few people watch it, but I digress. The point is, why do they let somebody like Lindsey Graham go on their show and lie to the public with little to no pushback? Because if they don’t, then the right will accuse them of being biased.
On the flagship podcast, The Bulwark, host Tim Miller will invite people on that he disagrees with, provided they accept the invitation. Instead of having to fit in a whole conversation before the commercial break for some prescription drug, Tim and his guest can really get into it. They can go back and forth and challenge one another.
The Bulwark has no such obligations to a manufacture sense of balance. They are going to tell you the truth. Period.
Now, if you know me, then you know I’m a Democrat. The Bulwark was formed by a bunch of Never Trump Republicans. Now, we shared the “Never Trump” part, but often differed on policy preferences. I first subscribed over four years ago now. In that time, something really cool happened. I left my Democrat comfort zone. I would listen to some of The Bulwark hosts and have a new way of thinking about something. At the same time, some of the people at The Bulwark were learning from one another and the audience. A community was being formed based on trust, a willingness to listen, and the honest exchange of ideas.
The Bulwark isn’t tribal or partisan.
Now, if you are interested in what The Bulwark has to offer but still want to take it for a test drive, what can you do?
I’m glad you asked.
You can start by listening to The Bulwark daily podcast hosted by Tim Miller
You can find your podcast platform of choice here: https://www.thebulwark.com/s/bulwarkpodcast
Or you can find it, and a bunch of other videos, over on The Bulwark YouTube page.
If you want to jump into the deep end and subscribe here you go:
https://www.thebulwark.com/about
If you want to subscribe but money is a little tight right now, email them. This is directly from them:
If you want to be part of The Bulwark, but can’t afford a membership, email us at info@thebulwark.com. We’ll work something out. Everyone who wants to be part of The Bulwark can be.
A few members of the Bulwark Community do what they can to fund subscriptions for those that need a little support. There is no shame. We are all in this together.
Which brings up my final point - The Bulwark is about the community. Have you ever heard of a productive comment section? Until I joined The Bulwark, I never had either. Yet, the community at The Bulwark is incredibly kind. I have seen them raise funds for families, extend kindness to people that were struggling, and help get an Afghan family to the United States.
Like The Boss sang, “we take care of our own”
The next few years don’t look to be easy. Like I said at the top you deserve a truly independent and honest news media company to get through it.
You deserve The Bulwark.
BONUS PITCH: If you love movies their culture editor Sonny Bunch is the best working movie critic and has the two best movie related podcasts out there.