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<p>Friend,<br>
<br>
In a time of rising authoritarianism, the media must be a watchdog for the people — and democracy — and adhere to the highest journalistic standards.
<br>
<br>
<a style="color: #0d7f99; text-decoration: underline; font-weight: bold;" href="[link removed]" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sign our petition calling on media executives to commit to reporting on threats to our democracy.</a><br>
<br>
Thanks for adding your voice,<br>
<br>
All of us at Free Press Action</p>
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[ [link removed] ]Free Press Action
Friend,
In a time of rising authoritarianism, the media must be a watchdog for the people — and democracy — and adhere to the highest journalistic standards.
Sign our petition calling on media executives to commit to reporting on threats to our democracy.
[link removed]
Thanks for adding your voice,
All of us at Free Press Action
------------------------------------
Friend,
Since the assassination attempt on former President Trump, some pundits and politicians have suggested that the media refrain from covering rising authoritarianism[1] in this country. We urge news outlets to wholeheartedly reject such a dereliction of journalistic duty, and to rigorously report on threats to our democracy.
Media coverage shapes both public discourse and people’s understanding of events of the day. This is particularly critical during contentious times — a presidential-election year, for instance. Media coverage can invite public engagement and robust participation in the democratic process. It can also be manipulated[2] to promote falsehoods for political gain and to silence dissent.
The political landscape we face today is growing ever more extreme, and media coverage must rise to the occasion. We have seen the rise of political figures who fan the flames of bigotry and reject the rule of law. And in the run-up to Jan. 6, 2021, the far-right spread disinformation to help disrupt the peaceful transition of power.
The moral abdication of media executives has devastating impacts[3] on people of color, women, immigrants, the LGBTQIA+ community and other vulnerable populations. Media companies should not make false equivalencies between those who are trying to protect democracy and those who are seeking to overthrow it.
Sign our petition calling on media execs and news outlets to commit to covering the rise of authoritarianism in the United States and around the world.
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TAKE ACTION
[link removed]
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Thank you for your support,
Nora Benavidez
Senior Counsel and Director of Digital Justice and Civil Rights
Free Press Action
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1. “Understanding and Responding to Global Democratic Backsliding,” Carnegie Endowment, Oct. 20, 2022
2. “The Long and Brutal History of Fake News,” Politico, Dec. 18, 2016
3. An Invitation to Dream Up Media Reparations, Media 2070, October 2020
