Hi Reader,

We deserve leaders who act with honesty, integrity and transparency. But when they fall short, independent media is often the first — and sometimes only — line of defense. For generations, investigative journalists have played a critical role in holding the powerful accountable, uncovering corruption, exposing injustices and shining a light on breaches of the public trust. They’ve done the work most of us can’t — digging deep, asking tough questions and revealing the truths that shape our democracy.

Today, that essential work is at risk. As corporate interests dominate some of the media landscape and many newsrooms are shrinking, fewer reporters are left to scrutinize those in the halls of power. But here at ProPublica, we’re growing, pressing on and digging deeper, and we won’t stop. At the heart of ProPublica’s mission is our steadfast faith in the power of investigative reporting to spur change and right wrongs. And it does. Our stories have prompted:

A national conversation about ethics in the Supreme Court (as well as the adoption of new code of conduct for the justices, a historic first).
An antitrust lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice that accuses RealPage of taking part in an illegal price-fixing scheme to reduce competition among landlords to boost rent prices — and profits. (RealPage has denied wrongdoing and sought to dismiss the case.)
Policy changes in at least six states allowing child support payments to reach children, after a ProPublica investigation found that states were seizing child support as reimbursement for the mother having received welfare. Others are debating doing the same.
A new Environmental Protection Agency rule that will slash cancer-causing emissions by sterilization facilities, after a 2021 investigation by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune revealed the EPA’s yearslong failure to inform communities of the risks they faced from cancer-causing ethylene oxide emissions.
And so much more (which you can see in our impact reports, published three times a year).

How do we do it? How can we afford to be a thorn in the side of so many powerful people and institutions? How are we able to keep the public’s interest, and no one else’s, at the center of our reporting? Because readers like you donate funds to support this fearless work.

Donate today and your gift will be matched up to $10,000 thanks to an anonymous family.

We’re proud to have one of the largest teams of investigative journalists in the country. Today I ask you to join us and stand up for journalism that serves the people.

Thanks so much,

Jill Shepherd

Proud ProPublican

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