Will you sign this petition NOW to protect journalists before Donald Trump takes office?
Dear MoveOn member,
With Donald Trump poised to take office in less than two months, it's more critical than ever that we safeguard the free press. As "fake news" rhetoric and attacks on journalists become increasingly common by the far-right, it's crucial that Congress act fast to protect independent media, a vital piece of our democracy.
Trump's stance on journalism is crystal clear: He's called the media "the enemy of the people," a "threat to democracy," and "fake."1 He even told a crowd in Pennsylvania on the campaign trail that he wouldn't mind if journalists got shot.2 Add your name to the petition calling on senators to protect the free and independent press before Trump takes office.
The PRESS Act—bipartisan legislation passed unanimously by the House—would protect journalists and the investigative reporting the public relies on to understand the inner-workings of our government. This legislation would prevent government officials from forcing reporters to reveal their sources or seizing their phone and email records.
We need to ensure that journalists can continue to operate independently and serve their essential role as watchdogs without fear of retaliation or abuse. Will you sign our petition calling on senators to follow the House's lead and pass the PRESS Act now?
Violent rhetoric from right-wing leaders railing against the media dangerously escalates hostility toward the press. The New York Times editorial board warns, "It is more urgent than ever to ensure that reporters can pursue their essential role without the threat of court-ordered demands for their sources and information."3
Trump's attacks on journalists and the free press have been relentless. In the weeks preceding the election, Trump insulted, attacked, or threatened the press at least 108 times across public speeches and remarks alone.4 His first term was marked by actions that threatened the foundation of a free and independent media.
Investigative reporting is vital to holding leaders accountable and exposing corruption. Without it, we risk losing transparency and trust in our government. We can strengthen the press's ability to serve the public, regardless of who occupies the White House. But with Trump poised to take office again, the time to act is now.
Thanks for all you do.
–Joey DeFrancesco and the team at Demand Progress
Sources:
1. "Trump Wins, the Press Loses," Columbia Journalism Review, November 6, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/200664?t=9&akid=417959%2E40999114%2ERwkduc
2. "Trump says he 'shouldn’t have left' the White House as he closes campaign with increasingly dark message," CNN, November 3, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/200665?t=11&akid=417959%2E40999114%2ERwkduc
3. "A Reporter's Shield Law Is Vital to Prevent Abuses of Power," The New York Times, October 14, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/200667?t=13&akid=417959%2E40999114%2ERwkduc
4. "USA: Trump verbally attacked the media more than 100 times in run-up to election," Reporters Without Borders, October 25, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/200666?t=15&akid=417959%2E40999114%2ERwkduc
You're receiving this petition because we thought it might interest you. It was created on MoveOn.org, where anyone can start their own online petitions. You can start your own petition here.
Want to support MoveOn's work? Donald Trump and his MAGA allies expect us to give up. But we will not give them what they want. We will never stop working to defend our fundamental freedoms and protect our democracy. MoveOn has been leading the movement against right-wing extremism for 26 years, and we promise you that we will still be here every step of the way forward.
Will you donate to power MoveOn's work to protect our freedoms and democracy under Trump's administration?
Donate: $5 monthly
Donate: $15 monthly
Donate: $50 monthly
Contributions to MoveOn Civic Action are not tax-deductible for income tax purposes. MoveOn.org Civic Action - PO Box 96141, Washington, D.C. 20090-6141. ActBlue Civics Inc. is the merchant of record for all transactions made to MoveOn Civic Action using the ActBlue platform. ActBlue Civics Inc. receives and processes these donations before disbursing them to MoveOn Civic Action within 30 days of receipt. This email was sent to John xxxxxx on December 13, 2024. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. MoveOn's privacy policy was recently updated. To read our new privacy policy, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.