Friend,

Did you watch last night's debate?

I did, and for a while there I could have sworn I was watching Fox News instead of CNN.

With last night's debate questions and CNN's increasing reliance on pro-Trump propagandists like neo-Nazi white nationalist Richard Spencer, the network is in danger of becoming the next Trump TV. We need them to provide honest and accurate journalism instead.

We deserve better from CNN and from all networks toeing the line between news and propaganda. That’s why we’re calling on networks and media-makers to clean up their election coverage and provide the #NewsWeDeserve leading up to the 2020 election. Join us.

Thanks,

Lucia

We’re worried that news networks have learned nothing from their mistakes in 2016. So we’re here to hold them accountable: Sign the petition calling on networks and media-makers to clean up their election coverage and provide the #NewsWeDeserve leading up to the 2020 election.

Friend,

Tonight begins the second round of the Democratic presidential debates. And the network hosting them is CNN.

This is the same CNN that brought on infamous neo-Nazi white nationalist Richard Spencer to discuss Trump’s racist tweets a few weeks ago — and then featured a roundtable with “eight Republican women” who were presented as randomly selected voters but were actually part of the Trumpettes political group.

We deserve better from CNN, and from all news networks that are veering dangerously close to becoming the next Trump TV. That’s why we’re calling on networks and media-makers to clean up their election coverage and provide the #NewsWeDeserve leading up to the 2020 election. Join us.

We’ve outlined 8 things that news networks can do to ensure they don’t repeat the mistakes they made in 2016 — mistakes we’re continuing to see in current election coverage.

Instead of providing the Trump campaign with billions of dollars’ worth of free media and an unchecked platform for spreading its hateful agenda, networks like CNN should:

1. Challenge candidates to discuss issues that matter to voters
2. Deliver equitable coverage of all candidates
3. Protect journalists and press freedom
4. Stop treating white supremacists as credible sources
5. Center the voices and lived experiences of community members, not consultants and political pundits
6. Value and prioritize the work and leadership of journalists of color
7. Deliver fewer Trump tweets, more substance
8. Amplify the work of local journalists

We’re depending on the news to give us honest and accurate reporting and information as we approach November 2020’s general election. The misinformation and journalistic bias that defined the last election cannot stand this time around. Help us put pressure on networks and media-makers to provide the #NewsWeDeserve by committing to the 8 principles listed above.

We deserve media that tell the truth, call out lies, and disavow racism, sexism, xenophobia and other forms of hate. All of this is essential to helping voters make informed decisions at the polls.

Together, we can make this our reality.

Thanks for all that you do,

Lucia, Collette, Candace and the rest of the Free Press Action team
freepress.net

P.S. We don’t take a single cent from business, government or political parties. But we need your help to stay independent. Please donate $10 — or whatever you can give — to support our media accountability work in this crucial moment.