Juneteenth and the Power and Responsibility of Media
On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, over 250,000 enslaved Black Americans in Texas were finally told they were free. That day, now recognized as Juneteenth, reminds us that freedom is not just about policy. It is about information. It is about access. It is about power.
While the law had changed in 1863, the message of freedom was delayed. The reasons were layered—geography, the final months of the Civil War, and deliberate suppression by those who had everything to lose. That delay cost lives, families, and years of dignity. It was not just a lag in communication. It was a delay in justice.
This is a media story.
The Media Gap Then and Now
In 1865, the United States had no national broadcast systems, no internet, and no rapid communication tools. News traveled by word of mouth, print, and official orders carried by foot or horseback. That lack of infrastructure enabled a system of silence to persist. Enslavers in Texas withheld news of freedom from those they held in bondage because they could. Information was a form of control.
Today, we live in a world defined by connectivity. Information is everywhere, but that does not mean it is equitably distributed. Many voices, especially those from historically marginalized communities, are still struggling to be heard. And increasingly, the platforms where news is shared are being concentrated into the hands of a few powerful corporations.
Which brings us to a development that arrived just ahead of this year’s Juneteenth.
FCC Moves to Reconsider Media Ownership Limits
On June 18, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission announced it would reopen discussion on the national TV ownership cap. This cap currently limits any single broadcaster from owning stations that reach more than 39 percent of U.S. households. The FCC is also reviewing the “UHF discount,” a policy that lets some broadcasters underreport their reach.
Industry giants like Sinclair and Nexstar, along with trade groups and political supporters, are urging the FCC to remove these limits. They argue that deregulation is necessary to compete with streaming services and digital platforms.
Critics warn that this move could lead to even more consolidation in an already concentrated media landscape. Fewer owners could mean fewer local voices, reduced diversity in coverage, and greater control over what information reaches communities across the country.
The FCC’s timing—reigniting this debate the day before Juneteenth—feels symbolic. Whether intentional or not, it underscores the ongoing relevance of Juneteenth's core lesson: when information is hoarded or shaped by those in power, it delays justice. It limits truth. And it leaves communities vulnerable to silence and misinformation.
The Responsibility of Media
Media is not just about what is shown. It is about who decides what is shown, and who gets left out. That was true in 1865, and it remains true now.
Juneteenth challenges us to examine not only our history but also our present. Who is telling our stories? Who has access to the mic? And what structural barriers still exist that prevent communities from receiving the truth they need to live free and informed lives?
As conversations about media regulation and ownership continue, we must advocate for a future where news and storytelling are driven by equity, truth, and inclusion. We cannot afford a system that repeats the mistakes of the past.
Juneteenth is not just a celebration. It is a call to vigilance. Let it remind us that justice delayed is often justice denied—and that the role of media in our democracy is far too important to be left unchecked.
How You Can Take Action Right Now
Subscribe to and support local news outlets
Investing in community-based, independent media strengthens local reporting—vital for transparency and representation.Submit a comment to the FCC
MB Docket No. 17-318 concerns national TV ownership caps.
Comments are accepted via the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) once the notice publishes. Learn how to file a comment here.
Deadline: 25 days after FCC publishes the Public Notice in the Federal Register—likely mid-July 2025.
Amplify Black-owned media outlets
Use Juneteenth as a moment to boost underrepresented voices. Subscribe, donate, share. Here are a few you can explore right now:Atlanta Black Star - A major digital newsroom offering news, politics, and culture from a Black perspective. Founded in 2012, it reaches over 14 million monthly visitors.
Blavity – a leading Black‑owned digital media company founded in 2014 by Morgan DeBaun, Jeff Nelson, Aaron Samuels, and Jonathan Jackson that creates news, lifestyle, and culture content for Black millennials and Gen Z audiences. With a monthly reach of over 80–100 million across platforms like Blavity News, AfroTech, 21Ninety, Travel Noire, and Shadow & Act, it amplifies Black voices through storytelling, user‑generated content, and events that foster community and innovation
Black Agenda Report – An independent online magazine and radio program founded in 2006, offering sharp commentary and analysis on racial justice, politics, and culture.
The Baltimore Afro‑American (“The AFRO”) – Established in 1892 and still family‑owned, this weekly newspaper is one of the longest-running African-American publications in the U.S.
American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) – The only African-American–owned and –operated Nielsen-rated national radio network in the U.S. It reaches around 40 million listeners weekly through 6,000+ affiliates.
Engage in civic conversations
Talk with friends, family, and colleagues about media consolidation impacts. Who isn’t being heard in your community?Call on your representatives
Urge them to defend diverse media ownership and press freedom. Oppose the funding cuts to NPR. Recruit your friends and family members to make calls and write letters to your elected officials.
