This month, we’re officially launching our celebration of FAIR’s 40th anniversary. FAIR had its humble beginnings in a cramped New York City apartment in 1986, back when a “dollar slice” was just called "a slice"—and it cost about the same to ride the subway! Still a small and scrappy operation (albeit with a proper office space), our longevity and our uncompromising dedication to truth speak for themselves.
In 1986, Top Gun was the top grossing film of the year. Dionne Warwick's “That’s What Friends Are For” was the #1 song. ALF and the Oprah Winfrey Show made their debuts. Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson. (FAIR has lasted much longer than that marriage.)
And Halley’s Comet made its latest appearance; FAIR is working now in hopes that by the time it returns in 2061, we’ll have a truly independent and just media ecosystem. But if not, we want to still be around to fight for it. And we need your help to achieve our goal.
This is an ambitious fundraising goal, but without ads, paywalls or six-figure grants to fall back on, we truly need this support to keep our finances stable. Every donation, big or small, helps us produce the next FAIR.org article, Extra! issue and CounterSpin episode.
It is because of YOU that FAIR can proudly celebrate our 40th anniversary this year. Now, in 2026, our work is more essential than ever. Help us meet this critical moment, arming the public with the tools to fight for news media that accurately inform their communities and strengthen justice and democracy.
Donate $50 or more to receive a "Support Independent Media" T-shirt that shows off your FAIR pride. Shirts are black with white text, 100% cotton, and union-made in the US. As always, proceeds will go directly to FAIR’s operating costs. The shirts come in sizes S to XL.
Donate $20 or more and receive a CounterSpin pin. Pins are 2.25 inches in diameter.
