The rise of toxic, far-right voices continued during 2024 and now poses a serious threat to democracy here and around the world. It’s being fuelled by the super-rich who want their own power to be uncontrolled and unaccountable.

The US inauguration this month will be one more step down this dangerous path, but it has been paved for years by a media landscape mostly owned and controlled by billionaires, platforming so-called ‘populists’ at every opportunity.

It seems as though every newsroom in the UK sees every issue through one single question – “what does Nigel think?”

The harm isn’t just that these toxic voices dominate our mainstream media; what’s missed out does just as much harm. The voices of marginalised people, those who are targeted by extremist policies, and of that unfashionable group – experts – are all missing and their absence degrades our public debate.

It’s become a playground for them to scapegoat minorities, and twist the truth or........

© Evening Times