As the new board president of Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF), I am honored to be part of the fight to preserve our democracy through press freedom. Since co-founding FPF a decade ago, I have witnessed its incredible adaptation to new and emerging threats against press freedom.

Today, I humbly ask: can you donate to our mission so we can continue to meet the moment for journalists and whistleblowers? You have a rare opportunity to have twice the impact: Thanks to a few FPF supporters, all donations will be doubled until Dec. 31.

In 2012, we launched FPF to crowdfund cutting-edge, independent journalism. This came in response to the appalling decision by payment processors to deny transactions to WikiLeaks after it published leaked documents. 

Soon after, our fight shifted to the trial of WikiLeaks whistleblower Chelsea Manning. When Manning’s hearings were hampered by heavy-handed government secrecy, we raced to fundraise and hire professional court stenographers. These efforts gave journalists and the public an essential source of timely, accurate, and comprehensive transcripts of Manning’s historic trial.

Today, FPF has built upon this legacy and, in its 10th year, staunchly protects the First Amendment by:

• Building SecureDrop, a free and open-source software used by whistleblowers to securely provide documents and information to trusted journalists across the globe;
• Offering expert digital security training, curriculum, and filmmaker guides to safeguard reporters and their sources;
• Documenting nationwide incidents that threaten journalism, including the outrageous prosecution of journalist Derek Myers in Ohio;
• Leading a national coalition to champion federal-level protections to stop the surveillance of journalists.

Our work to secure the rights of journalists is fundamental to preserving our democracy. Investigative reporters must be able to shine the light on illegal and corrupt activities to keep government and corporate power abuse in check. 

Freedom of the Press Foundation ensures that journalists can do their job without fearing surveillance, physical attacks, or baseless prosecutions. Please help us safeguard the rights of journalists by giving a donation this year.

I cannot thank you enough for the support you have given us. 2023 will be another big year, and I can’t wait to share what we have in store.

All the best, 

Rainey Reitman
Board President
Freedom of the Press Foundation