This is Victoria Baranetsky, the general counsel for The Center for Investigative Reporting. I’m writing to ask for your help. On June 14, in front of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, our team will defend CIR from a vexatious libel lawsuit filed by Planet Aid over five years ago. We reported on its possible corruption; the organization sued us and has been draining resources from us in hopes that we will retract our story or disappear completely.
Our staff and legal team – including multiple lawyers from two nationally renowned law firms, Davis Wright Tremaine and Covington & Burling – have poured countless hours, resources and energy into fighting this case. This case is not just about us: It’s about protecting the freedom of the press and defending our democracy.
Without robust protections for the press, there are no safeguards for truth.
