Article Summary –
The American Independent Foundation, a national progressive media organization linked to a Democratic Party-aligned super PAC, has launched a self-proclaimed news outlet in Montana as the state gears up for high-profile elections. The Montana Independent emulates other Montana news outlets in format and content, but its writers are primarily out-of-state journalists with a history in the progressive media sphere. The publication reaches around 150,000 Montana readers via mail per month, making it the state’s largest-circulation publication during an era of substantial staff cuts and readership drops among legacy news outlets.
A national progressive media organization associated with a Democratic Party super PAC has launched a self-described news outlet in Montana, called the Montana Independent, prior to the state’s high-profile elections. The most notable race is for the seat of incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in the U.S. Senate.
The Montana Independent, an affiliate of the American Independent, joined similar news outlets in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin under the American Independent banner. Veteran political journalist Joe Conason, who oversees the nonprofit American Independent Foundation, confirmed its launch earlier this year to Montana Free Press.
The Montana Independent mirrors other local Montana news outlets, covering statewide and local political issues with context, quotes, and some original interviews. However, most of its writers are out-of-state journalists established in the progressive media sphere. Some of its funding comes from American Bridge 21st Century, a Democrat-aligned political action committee that receives significant contributions from a dark money nonprofit of the same name, established by national Democratic operative David Brock. Former Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, co-chairs the American Bridge 21st Century PAC.
The Montana Independent doesn’t directly criticize or support particular candidates but presents Republicans in ways that could deter voters and Democrats in ways that could attract voter support. For instance, a story describing GOP Senate candidate Tim Sheehy’s desire to eliminate the Department of Homeland Security, and another highlighting Tester securing $23 million to protect public lands in Montana.
According to Conason, the Montana Independent’s print editions now reach around 150,000 Montana readers once a month for free through the mail, which makes it the largest-circulation publication in the state, especially as most traditional news outlets have seen cuts to staff and drops in readership.
Montana has drawn national political attention, with Tester’s Senate seat viewed as one of two seats the GOP could flip to take control of the U.S. Senate. The American Independent’s arrival in Montana signifies the expanding reach of political money of unknown and likely partisan origin in a crucial election year. Notably, Bullock, a former anti-dark money crusader, is now co-chair of a PAC that receives money from a dark-money group.
Conason, who is also a veteran national political reporter and president of the American Independent Foundation, emphasized the journalistic integrity of the American Independent. He said, “Our editors and reporters deliver thorough, fact-checked, and engaging stories that adhere to strict editorial standards.”
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