Over the last 20 years, the United States has lost more than 270,000 journalism jobs, while nearly 3,500 newspapers have ceased publication. As independent news organizations struggle to survive, another trend is developing less visibly: well-funded networks of politically aligned websites are expanding, with critics comparing some of them to propaganda operations.
Fox News has long been a focus of media criticism, particularly because of its approach to presenting news through a ratings-driven formula that frequently reinforces and magnifies conservative viewpoints. This has been evident in its coverage of subjects ranging from climate change to transgender rights. For regular Fox News viewers, the network's political orientation may be fairly obvious. However, identifying partisan influence can be much harder when it comes from outlets designed to look like ordinary local news organizations.
One recent example was uncovered by investigative journalist Judd Legum, who reported on a growing collection of Republican-linked news websites apparently created to shape voter opinion in important battleground states while presenting themselves as trustworthy local journalism outlets.
According to Legum's reporting in the Popular Information newsletter, One Nation, a major dark-money organization associated with Senate Republicans, is behind a network that presents political messaging in the appearance of conventional journalism. His investigation identified at least six such operations targeting voters in Alaska, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire and Ohio ahead of the November midterm elections.
The websites are deliberately given names and slogans that make them appear independent and locally focused. Maine Policy Updates, for example, describes itself as “Maine's News Source,” while Iowa Voice uses the slogan “Stay Informed. Stay Iowa.” Such branding can make it difficult for ordinary readers to recognize that the publications are owned and operated by One Nation. Legum also reported instances in which inaccurate claims appearing on these sites closely resembled messages used in One Nation's political advertising.
The weakening of traditional journalism and the spread of misleading information represent only part of a much broader problem. Americans are increasingly encountering unreliable information through social media, where a significant proportion of the population is exposed to misinformation on a regular basis. At the same time, the Trump administration has pursued changes that have reduced or eliminated a number of federal programs and resources built around publicly available, evidence-based information.
Amid this increasingly difficult information environment, one group continues to provide professionally trained assistance with reliable information, education and community services: public librarians. Often overlooked in national debates, librarians may be more important to their communities today than they have been in years.
Libraries remain trusted institutions, but financial pressures are growing
Donald Trump entered office with a history of criticism directed at public libraries and other independent cultural and social institutions. Nevertheless, recent data from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the federal agency that the administration previously sought to eliminate, highlights the continuing importance of libraries across the country.
The latest IMLS figures, covering more than 9,000 public library systems, show that libraries continue to attract hundreds of millions of visits and provide millions of programs each year. According to the agency, more than 800 million visits were recorded, while 93 million people participated in approximately 4.6 million library programs. These services covered areas including early childhood learning, digital and financial literacy, employment support and public health.
Libraries are also becoming increasingly important as providers of digital content. Digital borrowing has continued to expand, with the e-lending company OverDrive reporting that library users around the world reached record levels of digital borrowing in the previous year. U.S. library systems accounted for nine of the world's top 10 systems for lending e-books, audiobooks and digital magazines through the service.
The problem is that library demand is increasing faster than the resources available to meet it. Between 2021 and 2024, use of library facilities, room bookings and electronic resources increased, but staffing and funding failed to keep pace, according to library advocacy organization Every Library. By 2024, staffing levels were still 8.2 percent below their pre-pandemic levels, while a 5 percent increase in budgets was insufficient to keep up with inflation.
Smaller library systems have experienced an even greater strain. Every Library reports that staffing in smaller libraries fell by 11.5 percent, substantially more than the national average. These libraries also experienced declining use of electronic resources, in contrast with the continued growth seen in larger library systems.
Changes to federal broadband support could put digital access at risk
Public libraries have another increasingly important role: helping people develop digital skills and access the internet. For millions of Americans who lack adequate internet access or the ability to use digital services effectively, libraries can provide an essential bridge to education, employment and other opportunities.
The American Library Association estimates that roughly 66 million U.S. households have limited levels of digital readiness, while approximately 33 million households do not use the internet at home. These digital-access gaps disproportionately affect rural communities, low-income households, people with disabilities and communities of color.
The ALA describes the nation's libraries as a critical resource for closing these gaps and expanding meaningful broadband access. Yet when funding becomes constrained, smaller library systems are often among the first to reduce digital services.
Concerns have grown over possible changes to the Federal Communications Commission's E-Rate program, which helps schools and public libraries obtain affordable broadband services. In June, the FCC indicated that it was considering changes to the program. On August 14, the agency formally published a notice in the Federal Register seeking public feedback on several proposed changes.
Although the FCC has previously indicated that it does not intend to remove facilities from the E-Rate program, library and education advocates remain concerned that changes could ultimately reduce the program's reach or funding.
There are also concerns about potential restrictions on the content that people can access through E-Rate-supported connections. The FCC proposal refers to the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), a 2000 law designed in part to prevent minors from accessing sexually explicit material online.
Critics worry that broadly interpreted restrictions could extend beyond their original purpose and affect access to information about LGBTQ+ issues, particularly transgender-related material. Those concerns come against the backdrop of broader policy efforts by the Trump administration targeting what it describes as “transgender ideology.”
Although the FCC filing focuses on issues such as children's online activity and screen time, library advocates fear that expanded interpretations of existing internet-safety requirements could eventually contribute to restrictions on LGBTQ+ educational and informational materials in public libraries.
Library advocates are pushing back
Library organizations are already mobilizing in response to these concerns. This summer, the American Library Association joined the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition in a nationwide campaign urging Americans to contact members of Congress and support the continuation of E-Rate.
The organizations argue that E-Rate was created by Congress and that congressional action is therefore essential to protecting the program. They have also provided an online resource designed to make it easier for members of the public to submit comments to the FCC before the October 13 deadline.
It remains unclear what the final outcome will be, but bringing attention to the potential consequences for libraries is an important first step.
For communities already dealing with reductions in other public assistance programs and changes to healthcare eligibility requirements, the loss of free services at a local library could have consequences extending far beyond access to books. Libraries provide internet access, educational programs, digital assistance, community resources and reliable information—services that can become especially valuable when other sources of support are disappearing.
As traditional journalism continues to shrink and misinformation becomes harder to distinguish from legitimate reporting, the local public library may increasingly serve as one of the few accessible and trusted places where people can find reliable information and assistance.
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