No matter which issue you’re most passionate about, progress is virtually impossible without an active citizenry informed by independent journalism.

Friend,

Nearly everywhere you look, the world is on fire … in many cases, quite literally.

Devastating wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and elsewhere. Democracy in retreat in the face of right-wing autocracy around the world. The climate emergency raging. And as part of the Common Dreams community, we know that you care deeply about all these issues and so many others.

But no matter which issue you’re most passionate about, progress is impossible without an active citizenry informed by independent journalism.

And right now, independent journalism is in deep, deep trouble.

Since 1990, the number of people working for newspapers in the U.S. has plunged by 80%—even as the U.S. population has increased by a third. Digital news, once hailed as the great hope for the future of journalism, is now in a state of crisis, thanks to rising costs and changes in social media and search engine algorithms squelching independent outlets like ours.

Here at Common Dreams, we’ve survived for one reason and one reason only: the support of readers like you. Your donations, some large and some as small as $5, make everything we do possible.

In these dark times, the world can’t afford to lose any more independent news outlets. That’s why we’re asking you to help support Common Dreams by donating to our Fall Campaign today.