A recent House investigation targeting BreakThrough News for its “favorable coverage of U.S. adversaries” highlights a concerning development in governmental oversight. This inquiry, focusing on content deemed constitutionally protected speech, represents a significant intrusion into independent journalism and raises serious questions about the boundaries of state power in shaping public discourse.
While not directly about defense contracts, such investigations into the press ultimately impact accountability. Suppressing or scrutinizing journalistic perspectives that deviate from official narratives, particularly on foreign policy, can create an environment where critical examination of government actions, including military spending and interventions, is stifled. This erosion of media independence undermines the transparency necessary to combat systemic waste and institutional corruption, a core concern echoed in War Is Still A Racket, as it allows the powerful to operate with less public scrutiny.