SIGN NOW: The media can’t abandon its responsibilities under a second Trump Administration – add your name in support of free speech and holding power accountable >>

John, President-elect Trump is waging a dangerous war on our constitutional right to free speech and dissent. He’s openly promising to:

Sue news outlets and investigate them for “treason”,

Lock up journalists who disagree with him,

And revoke licenses for TV companies that criticize him.

And he’s implementing this authoritarian plan before he even takes office: ABC recently settled a lawsuit brought by Trump for $16 million rather than go through a lengthy and costly discovery process. [1]

It's capitulation, plain and simple. And it’s emboldening Trump, who has sued several news outlets in recent years [2] and is now suing the Des Moines Register – and promising to escalate his attacks on the media and free speech. [1]

Media companies have an obligation to stand up for free speech and protect their journalists' right to deliver the facts. Join me to urge media companies to fulfill their democratic duty – and NOT cave to Trump.

SIGN THE PETITION

This about more than just holding President-elect Trump accountable. He’s setting a dangerous precedent – one where wealthy and powerful individuals can use their well-funded legal teams to intimidate and silence journalists.

Let’s be clear: Trump isn’t really targeting the media for inaccuracies, bias, or sensationalism. He's going after journalists he doesn’t like, who dare to criticize him and hold him accountable.

And he’s stacking his administration with loyalists who are ready to support this anti-media crusade. Just look at his FCC pick, Brendan Carr, who is already issuing thinly veiled threats to media companies if they don’t fall in line. [3]

John, these attacks are straight out of the authoritarian playbook.

A free, independent media is a First Amendment guarantee that’s essential to democracy – helping expose corruption, hold leaders accountable, and inform the public.

If you agree that media companies have a responsibility to stand up for their journalists and resist efforts to quell free speech and dissent, I hope you’ll add your name to our petition today >>

Thanks for all you do,

Ishan Mehta, Director of Media & Democracy
and the team at Common Cause

[1] https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/17/media-lawyers-trump-lawsuits-fears-00194938
[2] https://www.axios.com/2024/12/17/trump-legal-threats-media
[3] https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/incoming-fcc-chair-brendan-carr-issues-veiled-threat-to-abc/ar-AA1wrDHk