Dear John,

A report in 2016 estimated that the major news networks gave Donald Trump $2 billion in free airtime.¹

Instead of covering Trump as news and fact-checking for lies, the multibillion-dollar gift of free airtime amplified Trump’s abusive attacks, bigoted insults, QAnon-level conspiracies, and dangerous deceptions.

This time around, things should be different. Nevertheless, just last week, CNN gave Trump free airtime yet again.² Sign the petition to demand CNN stop giving Trump free airtime!

There’s an alternative to airing the unmediated flow of Trump’s dangerous rhetoric. It’s urgent that the decision-makers at CNN know that we won’t put up with the harmful decision to give Trump a megaphone with no filter.

Trump’s announcement is news. It should be covered as a news event, not presented to viewers as free advertising as it was in 2016.

The solution is simple. Stop covering Trump live. Fact-check his words. And don't be complicit in giving him free airtime to spread lies and hate. Sign now if you agree.

Sign Now

Trump’s words have power—we’ve seen what they can do. Trump incited the deadly January 6 insurrection, and it is unconscionable for networks to repeat the mistake of amplifying his violence and abuse. The news media has a responsibility to the American people. We cannot allow that to happen again.

Sign here if you agree. News networks like CNN don't need to show Trump’s speeches live. They can cover his speeches as news — wait until he's done to show clips within context, offer fact-checking, and stop amplifying his baseless attacks.

Thanks for all you do,

— MoveOn

P.S. This petition was created on MoveOn, where anyone can start their own online petitions. You can start your own petition to push for progressive change here.

Sources:

1. "$2 Billion Worth of Free Media for Donald Trump," The New York Times, March 15, 2016 https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/16/upshot/measuring-donald-trumps-mammoth-advantage-in-free-media.html

2. "Broadcast networks take a pass at Trump campaign announcement," The Washington Post, November 15, 2022 https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/11/15/tv-news-trump-campaign-speech-broadcast/

PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.