Friend,

Just days before a presidential election that could decide the future of
our democracy, both the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post have
declined to endorse anyone in the presidential election, despite their
editorial teams preparing endorsements Vice President Harris. (1) The
billionaire owners of both papers are apparently afraid of retribution
from the federal government if Donald Trump wins.

Countless reporters and editors at the institutions have forcefully spoken
out against this cowardice, and some -- including Los Angeles Times
editorial board members Mariel Garza, Robert Greene, and Karin Klein --
have bravely resigned in protest.(2)

We stand with the journalists and editorial staff working tirelessly to
expose the threat Donald Trump poses to our freedom and the very nature of
our republic, and we’re redoubling our efforts to educate voters about the
choice they face on November 5.

[ [link removed] ]As billionaire newspaper moguls shirk their civic and moral duties,
we’re standing with principled journalists and writers working double time
to inform the electorate. Will you help by sharing Courage California’s
voter guide?

Some pundits are shrugging their shoulders, saying an endorsement from the
likes of the Los Angeles Times wouldn’t make a difference in the
presidential race anyway.(3)

They’re completely missing the point.

In a healthy democracy, we need a vibrant, independent fourth estate
unafraid of hard-hitting journalism and fact-based criticism.

As Greene noted in a statement when he resigned, failure to endorse Harris
“hurt because one of the candidates, Donald Trump, has demonstrated such
hostility to principles that are central to journalism -- respect for the
truth and reverence for democracy.”(4)

In fact, every time a major news outlet cows to threats from Trump and his
MAGA minions, we slide ever closer into an authoritarian state like
Russia, where Vladimir Putin has eliminated the free press.

Just as alarming is the fact that the Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon
one of the world’s richest men, owns The Washington Post.

Living in a country controlled and silenced by Trump and billionaires like
Elon Musk and Bezos is unthinkable.

At Courage California, we stand with the journalists and editorial writers
who still believe in free, ethical, and independent press. And we’re doing
our part to inform voters in this critical election.

[ [link removed] ]Will you share our voter guide with your friends and family and help
reject fascism on November 5?

In solidarity,

–Irene, Annie, Angela, Isidra, Mario, Marvin, Alyssa, Jen, Cecilia, and
Lindsay (the Courage team)

[ [link removed] ]SUPPORT OUR WORK

Footnote:
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Courage California (formerly Courage Campaign) makes sure our democracy works for ALL of us by fighting corruption in California politics. We believe the solution lies in exposing and solving systemic problems through strategic organizing, enhancing coordination between progressive organizations, and mobilizing civic engagement from our communities, particularly voters of color, young voters, and self-identified progressives.

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