PROTECT JOURNALISTS: Call Senators Now To Defend Free Press
Call your Senators - 202-224-3121 - and demand they pass the PRESS Act now!
Today, November 20, 2024, Donald Trump took to social media to say ““REPUBLICANS MUST KILL THIS BILL!”
He was speaking of the PRESS Act.
The bill prohibits the federal government from forcing journalists to give up their confidential sources and protects those sources or whistleblowers who speak to journalists from retaliation by law enforcement. Such protections are key to the essential watchdog role of journalism. It’s really a no brainer for this bill to pass.
Any president should show a steadfast commitment to the protections afforded us by the First Amendment. And on Monday Trump gave an interview to Fox wherein he said, "In order to Make America Great Again [sic], it is very important, if not vital, to have a free, fair and open media or press."
But, Donald Trump is full of shit.
Trump has long called journalists the enemy of the people. This was a strategy to get his followers to trust only him, a ploy to have them ignore truthful, negative press reports. It worked.
He has suggested that threatening journalists with prison rape would be a great way to get them to give up their sources.
Two days before the election he said he wouldn’t mind if the journalists at his rally got shot.
Trump’s previous administration spied on at least 5 reporters.
Trump has threatened the broadcast licenses of ABC and CBS simply for coverage he didn’t like, and has said he will appoint an FCC Commissioner who has expressed interest in catering to Trump’s anti-free speech whims.
He is further attempting to bully journalists and put a chill on truthful reporting by suing the New York Times and Penguin Random House for a ludicrous $10 billion dollars.
Donald Trump is the enemy of a free, fair and open press.
CALL YOUR SENATORS NOW AND DEMAND THAT THEY DO EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO PASS THE PRESS ACT!
The phone number for the Capitol Switchboard is 202-224-3121. Just ask for one of your senators. When you get the machine or a staffer say, “I want [name of senator] to do everything in their power to pass the PRESS Act in this lame duck session.” Then call the number back and ask for your other senator. Repeat the same message.
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Here’s to healthier information!