Batya Ungar-Sargon

Batya Ungar-Sargon is an American journalist and author who serves as the deputy opinion editor of Newsweek. She is known for her provocative analysis of American media, class, and political culture, and her willingness to challenge conventional wisdom on both the left and the right. Bad News examines how the American news media shifted from serving a broad, working-class audience to catering primarily to the interests and sensibilities of the educated elite. Ungar-Sargon traces the history of American journalism from its populist roots to its current state, arguing that the industry's focus on identity politics and cultural issues has come at the expense of economic reporting and working-class concerns. The book was praised for its research, its provocative thesis, and its readable style. Bad News is available as an audiobook alongside the print edition, giving listeners a thought-provoking and accessible way to examine how American journalism lost touch with ordinary Americans.