A vexatious libel lawsuit against us challenges the First Amendment.

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Planet Aid’s used clothing donation boxes can be found in parking lots across the United States.
Credit: Amy Walters/Reveal
Hi Revealer,

We are embroiled in a vexatious, multimillion-dollar libel lawsuit, and we need your support.

As you may remember, we first wrote to you in 2019 when an international aid group we had reported on called Planet Aid filed baseless charges against us. Our 2016 investigation ([link removed]) tied the charity to an alleged cult and raised significant questions about whether funds from the U.S. and other governments actually were reaching the people they were intended to help. Several months after the initial stories were published, Planet Aid filed a frivolous libel lawsuit against us in federal court, and we’ve been fighting it ever since.

In 2021, a federal district judge in California dismissed the entire case with prejudice. We took a cautious victory lap, both for The Center for Investigative Reporting and for the First Amendment.
However, Planet Aid appealed the case. Our case is now before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, one of the highest courts in the country – right below the Supreme Court. The briefs are submitted and the oral argument is scheduled for 1 p.m. June 14, 2022, in San Francisco. CIR’s legal counsel are currently preparing for legal argument, and we need your support more than ever. ([link removed])

This case grows increasingly more aggressive as it is appealed higher up. It forces us to respond to assaults on our credibility and integrity as a news organization and depletes precious resources that could have been directed toward public service journalism.

The total cost of legal fees to date is approximately $5 million. We 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, including our outside counsel Thomas Burke, along with the countless hours put in by our legal team, including our general counsel, Vickie Baranetsky.

During the hearing June 14, we will give everything we have to defend the public’s right to know the truth, no matter who’s trying to hide it. Show your support for the First Amendment by making a donation before June 14. ([link removed]) Your generosity will help ensure we have the time and resources to keep up this important fight for the freedom of the press.
Donate today ([link removed])
Thank you,
Missa Perron
Membership Manager

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