Until this week, CIR has been quiet about a libel lawsuit we’ve been fighting for nearly three years. The lawsuit was filed by Planet Aid, an organization that is intent on punishing us for reporting unfavorable but wholly truthful information about its misuse of U.S. taxpayer funds. We need you to stand with us as we stand up for the facts. 

During my time as CEO, I’ve watched this case grow increasingly more aggressive, forcing us to respond to assaults on our credibility and integrity as a news organization and depleting precious resources that could have been directed toward public service journalism. 

The total cost of legal fees to date exceeds $7 million. CIR quite literally would not be here today if it wasn’t for the exceptional — and exceptionally generous — pro bono representation of Covington & Burling LLP and Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, along with the countless hours put in by our general counsel, Vickie Baranetsky. 

The court filings in this case are a matter of public record. We have spent years dredging Planet Aid’s complaint and declarations for any evidence that might merit correcting our stories. We have found none. 

That Planet Aid has chosen to attack us with lawyers and legal bills rather than facts is yet another sign of a troubling turn in the environment journalists are confronting. And it follows a pattern set most notably by Peter Thiel, whose lawsuit against Gawker forced that outlet into bankruptcy.

I hope you will consider making a special donation to help us continue to fight this lawsuit and ensure we never have to back down from our mission-critical reporting.

Sincerely,

Christa Scharfenberg
CEO