Jeff Cohen

Woodstock

Author and Media Critic at Freelance

Jeff Cohen, author/media critic, cofounder of @Roots_Action, formerly Ithaca College journalism prof, founder of https://t.co/FdbcdE3PeD, documentary filmmaker

Articles

National Teach-In: Media Literacy and Activism

1 week ago | f.mtr.cool | Jeff Cohen |Sonali Kolhatkar |Michael Arria |Alexandria Shaner

In our recent teach-in on Noncooperation with Trump, we touched on many essential pillars of free societies and of liberatory movements — including, the media. As repression keeps on ramping up, we’re pushing back with a follow up event digging in to this urgent topic… Join us to hear from panelists on the frontlines of independent media.
National Teach-In: Media Literacy and Activism

1 week ago | znetwork.org | Jeff Cohen |Sonali Kolhatkar |Michael Arria |Alexandria Shaner

In our recent teach-in on Noncooperation with Trump, we touched on many essential pillars of free societies and of liberatory movements — including, the media. As repression keeps on ramping up, we’re pushing back with a follow up event digging in to this urgent topic… Join us to hear from panelists on the frontlines of independent media.
Robert W. McChesney, a Scholar/Activist Who Fought for Media Democracy

2 months ago | znetwork.org | Jeff Cohen

Robert W. McChesney was a leading voice and a precious colleague in the battle for a more democratic media system, and a more democratic society. Bob passed away on Tuesday, March 24, at the age of 72. No one did more to analyze the negative and censorial impacts of our media and information systems being controlled by giant, amoral corporations. Bob was a scholar—the Gutgsell endowed professor of communications at University of Illinois—and a prolific author.
Celebrating the Life and Work of Robert W. McChesney (1952-2025) | Common Dreams

2 months ago | commondreams.org | Jeff Cohen

Robert W. McChesney was a leading voice and a precious colleague in the battle for a more democratic media system, and a more democratic society. Bob passed away on Tuesday, March 24, at the age of 72. No one did more to analyze the negative and censorial impacts of our media and information systems being controlled by giant, amoral corporations. Bob was a scholar—the Gutgsell endowed professor of communications at University of Illinois—and a prolific author.
Howard helps No. 2 Ohio State rout Northwestern 31-7 at Wrigley Field

Nov 16, 2024 | dailyherald.com | Jeff Cohen

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith catches a pass as Northwestern linebacker Greyson Metz defends during the first half on Saturday at Wrigley Field. AP Will Howard passed for two touchdowns, Quinshon Judkins had two 1-yard TD runs and No. 2 Ohio State pounded Northwestern 31-7 on Saturday at Wrigley Field.
Phil Donahue Changed My Life and Millions of Others

Aug 20, 2024 | portside.org | Jeff Cohen

Phil Donahue Changed My Life and Millions of Others Published August 20, 2024 He started as a local reporter in Ohio, was a trailblazer in bringing social issues to a national audience as a daytime broadcast TV host, and then he was pretty much banished from TV by MSNBC because he – accurately, correctly and morally – questioned the horrific U.S. invasion of Iraq. In the 1970s, Phil took progressive issues and mainstreamed them to millions through his syndicated daytime show.
Harris is tying herself too closely to Biden on Gaza

Aug 19, 2024 | thehill.com | Norman Solomon |Jeff Cohen

The Gaza war is a political problem for Kamala Harris. In recent days, she has made it worse. On the surface, Harris might seem to be doing just fine. At a rally in Detroit, an adoring crowd chanted “Kamala! Kamala!” to drown out protesters shouting, “We won’t vote for genocide.”“You know what, if you want Donald Trump to win, then say that,” Harris retorted. “Otherwise, I’m speaking.” News accounts portrayed the disrupters as rude and the vice president as admirably firm.
Fired by MSNBC for Giving Voice to Iraq War Opposition, Phil Donahue (1935-2024) Was Courage Personified | Common Dreams

Aug 19, 2024 | commondreams.org | Jeff Cohen

Phil Donahue passed away Sunday night, after a long illness. He was beloved by those who knew him and by many who didn’t. He started as a local reporter in Ohio, was a trailblazer in bringing social issues to a national audience as a daytime broadcast TV host, and then he was pretty-much banished from TV by MSNBC because he—accurately, correctly, and morally—questioned the horrific U.S. invasion of Iraq.
Why Josh Shapiro Is Not the Right Choice for Harris VP | Common Dreams

Jul 29, 2024 | commondreams.org | Jeff Cohen

Kamala Harris has gained strong support as the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate. Putting Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on the ticket would likely fracture that support. The most divisive issue among Democrats is the U.S.-enabled Israeli war against the civilian population of Gaza. To unify the party and defeat Trump’s MAGA forces, Harris needs to distance herself in a meaningful way from Joe Biden’s Gaza policy.
The imperative to reduce the chances of a Trump victory

Jul 16, 2024 | nationofchange.org | Jeff Cohen |Norman Solomon

Let’s face it: Donald Trump is in a stronger position than ever to win a second term in November, with his active supporters even more motivated in the wake of the shooting Saturday. Preventing a Trump victory is now unlikely. But we must try. Top Trump strategists are very eager for their candidate to run against Joe Biden. They’re now worried that the Democratic Party might end up with a different standard bearer.