@doctord’s idea of a Progressive Media Summit is compelling—a space where progressive media outlets can resolve misunderstandings, find shared goals, and build a stronger coalition to counter the far right. It’s an excellent way to address infighting and shift focus back to the real opposition.
What the Summit Could Achieve:
1. Clarify Disagreements: Address tensions and reduce harmful mischaracterizations.
2. Collaborate on Goals: Highlight shared priorities like Medicare for All and corporate accountability.
3. Unite Audiences: Promote a ceasefire and foster solidarity across platforms.
4. Strengthen the Movement: Cross-promote content and grow progressive networks.
Could Operation Hope Take the Lead?
Given its mission to empower progressives and build coalitions, Operation Hope seems well-suited to organize such a summit. It could start the conversation by reaching out to TYT, Majority Report, and other outlets to gauge interest, set clear goals, and lead by example in fostering unity.
What do you all think about Operation Hope taking on this role? Let’s brainstorm how we can make this happen. A united media front could be a powerful step forward for the progressive movement.
Thank you for this Maggie, it’s exactly what I was thinking. I had some more thoughts on it:
We could all help put together a list of outlets/hosts to reach out to on this, in addition to TYT and MR just off the top of my head I’m thinking Kyle Kulinski, Krystal Ball, Farron Cousins, Jeff Waldorf, David Pakman, Stephanie Miller, Thom Hartman, Jordan Chariton… There are so many though, we’d probably need a central document we could all access to help compile & edit.
I don’t think we should be afraid of inviting the ‘big names’ like John Oliver, John Stewart, Chris Hayes, Rachel Maddow, etc… the worst they can do is say ‘no’, and if some of them say ‘yes’, it could lead to a sense of FOMO that might help convince others to attend.
The only folks I think we might not want to invite would be anyone that carries with them so much negativity that it might turn into a poison pill for the whole thing (Jimmy Dore comes to mind, but what do you folks think? Would it be possible to turn his negativity into a positive contribution, or is it not worth the risk?)
I may be a bit biased since I’m from Chicago, but I’m thinking that this should be held in the midwest. So much of the media is based in either L.A. or New York, it just makes sense to me to do it somewhere in-between.
We probably would need someone (or a group of someones) to write up an invitation template everyone can use when reaching out to all these progressive outlets. A description of the summit and what we’d be trying to achieve, as Maggie outlines above, and why we want them to attend.
If we agree as a group that this is something we want to do, I can start gathering up contact information for progressive outlets and hosts we can use to reach out to them. Let me know, folks!
@doctord, I’m really excited about the momentum around the Progressive Media Summit idea. I agree on inviting both big and smaller names to ensure we’re fostering a broad coalition. It’s essential that we prioritize the inclusion of lesser-known and independent media outlets alongside bigger platforms. This will help uplift underrepresented voices and ensure the full range of progressive media is represented.
I’d also suggest we consider a hybrid format. While in-person connection is invaluable, adding virtual participation makes the Summit more accessible for smaller outlets, independent creators, and anyone facing travel or cost barriers. For location, I’d love to avoid the humidity and suggest Denver, CO. It’s centrally located, has a strong progressive presence, and the dry climate makes it a comfortable choice year-round. Plus, it’s easy to access and ideal for a hybrid setup.
To keep this moving forward, we could start by creating a shared document to outline invitees, goals, and draft outreach templates. Framing the Summit’s focus around coalition-building, amplifying progressive media, and countering fragmentation will help ensure we’re action-oriented and collaborative. What does everyone think about Denver as a location and a hybrid approach? I believe Operation Hope could take a leading role while working together to shape the details.
A progressive media outlet is a platform—whether large or independent—that aligns with and advocates for values and policies centered on:
Equity and Justice: Prioritizing social, racial, economic, and environmental justice, while amplifying marginalized voices and movements.
Challenging the Establishment: Critiquing systems of power, corporate influence, and political corruption, with a focus on holding those in power accountable.
Policy Advocacy for the People: Promoting policies that benefit working-class people, such as Medicare for All, higher wages, climate action, and money out of politics.
Fact-Based Reporting: Committing to truthful, ethical journalism and rejecting misinformation or propaganda.
Independent and Inclusive Voices: Supporting diverse perspectives, including grassroots organizers, independent creators, and underrepresented communities, while encouraging nuanced dialogue over performative division.
Progressive media outlets seek to inform, empower, and mobilize audiences toward systemic change by blending rigorous reporting, analysis, and cultural commentary with an unapologetic focus on creating a better, more equitable society.
Thank you @mggbwmn8 , the more I envision how this could happen, the more excited I get about it too!
I think the hybrid format is a fantastic idea, I hadn’t thought of how hard it might be for folks from smaller outlets to appear in person and that would be a great solution. Also on board for Denver, CO if we can find a good venue there; my wife used to live in the area and loves it out there. It could really be held anywhere, but the easy access and climate would definitely be a plus.
I like how you laid out what we could achieve here, and I think that in addition to what you wrote, whether we delineate it or not, there’s going to be a subtext here of having everyone come together to help fight back against whatever we’re going to be facing in the new Trump administration. I know that there are varying opinions about just how dangerous the threat is, but I think we all agree that with Trump coming in folks will be targeted, and there will be suffering. If we stand together, at least we’ll have a chance to stand up to it.
Yeah, I think this is a fantastic definition of progressive media, and who we would like to see at the summit. The only thing I could think of to add is maybe “Opposition to Authoritarianism and Bigotry”, but that’s closely aligned with #1
Here are alternative ways to express “Opposition to Authoritarianism and Bigotry” without explicitly using those words:
1. “Defending Freedom and Equality” – Focuses on the values being protected.
2. “Standing Against Oppression and Division” – Highlights what you are actively resisting.
3. “Upholding Justice and Human Dignity” – Frames your stance positively, emphasizing ideals.
4. “Resisting Tyranny and Prejudice” – Uses less direct but still impactful synonyms.
5. “Promoting Liberty and Inclusion” – Centers on what you are advocating rather than opposing.
Each option shifts the tone slightly, depending on whether you want to emphasize resistance, values, or progress.
Oh, wow, and 10 and under are free! Looking at the list of speakers, I saw Danica Patrick. Did you know that she believes alien lizards, shift shapers disguised as humans, live among us?
Playboard provides insights into YouTube analytics, ranking, and trends. It can be helpful for content creators, media organizations, or researchers to analyze channels, identify top-performing videos, and track engagement metrics.
Here’s a quote from Sun Tzu “Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.” I definitely support collaborating across progressive media but I think they should do it privately. Let’s not give the conservatives any ideas…
Sun Tzu gives great advice for winning on the battlefield, but not so much in politics. For winning in politics, I would look to other authors. Macchiavelli, perhaps, although I certainly wouldn’t want to emulate his ethics.
I see the appeal of Sun Tzu and Machiavelli, but their frameworks don’t fully apply to today’s political challenges. Sun Tzu’s secrecy works in war, but in politics, transparency builds trust, strengthens coalitions, and prevents information silos that weaken us. Right-wing movements thrive on manipulation—we win through mobilization and truth.
Machiavelli’s realpolitik prioritizes short-term power over sustainable influence. Instead of war metaphors, we need systems thinking, change management, and decentralized power-building—think Elinor Ostrom on collective governance or Marshall Ganz on relational organizing. Winning isn’t just about outmaneuvering the opposition; it’s about building something enduring, participatory, and rooted in shared values.
I use war metaphors, not to be shallow but to make the point that we are in a war. There’s no other way to think about this. I don’t want this to sound harsh but let’s not be naive. Capitalism kills at least 26,000 annually in the US alone. That’s seven 9/11’s. How can you experience seven 9/11’s every year and not think we’re in a war?
I also believe in building something enduring, participatory, and rooted in shared values, but first you have to win. To achieve power you have to win.
