A national movement of citizens, journalists, media organizations and defenders of the First Amendment and the free press in the United States and abroad.
We, the undersigned, write to express our deep concern over the escalating hostility toward the free press under the current executive and legislative leadership in Washington, DC. A series of actions have undermined the foundational principles of press freedom, threatening the First Amendment and the public’s right to information. These alarming developments are not just attacks on individual journalists or news organizations—they are direct assaults on democracy itself.
Recent actions restricting access to critical government institutions exemplify this dangerous trend. The White House’s attempts to exclude Associated Press journalists from press briefings despite a US District court ruling, the Pentagon’s increased secrecy, and a congressional hearing designed solely to attack NPR and PBS all indicate an effort to intimidate and silence independent reporting. Such measures erode transparency, accountability, and the public’s ability to stay informed about the workings of its own government.
One egregious example is the effort to dismantle Voice of America (VOA) and its parent agency, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM). The current administration’s sweeping executive order placing over 1,300 VOA employees on administrative leave has effectively silenced this crucial institution. This move not only weakens the United States’ standing as a global defender of free speech but also empowers authoritarian regimes that seek to control information. (Update: on April 22, Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia blocked the Trump administration from dismantling Voice of America.)
And on March 26, after a hearing of the House DOGE Subcommittee, Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, introduced a bill to eliminate all government funding to NPR and PBS. Both of these organizations provide a vital service that fosters community and unity by delivering fact-based news and educational programming that appeals to people across the political spectrum. They also ensure rural communities have access to critical information during emergencies that inform readers and protect lives.
We are at a perilous crossroads. The integrity of independent media and the safety of journalists are under siege, both at home and abroad. The erosion of press freedoms sets a dangerous precedent, threatening the very fabric of a functioning democracy.
Therefore, we call not only on the United States government and the elected leaders in the executive and legislative branches to take immediate action, but we also urgently appeal to the public to recognize the severity of these threats. Now more than ever, Americans must be vigilant in defending press freedom and standing up for the First Amendment.
We call for the following:
1. Restore Press Access Immediately: Reverse restrictions that limit journalists’ ability to cover the White House, the Pentagon, and other government institutions.
2. Protect Public Media: End efforts to undermine NPR, PBS, and other publicly funded news organizations, ensuring they remain independent from political pressure.
3. Reinstate Funding and Operations for Voice of America: Fully restore VOA and USAGM, allowing them to continue their mission of delivering unbiased news worldwide.
4. Respect and Honor Journalistic Integrity: Safeguard the independence of all journalistic institutions and uphold the First Amendment’s protections against government interference.
5. Lead on Global Press Freedom: Reaffirm America’s commitment to free press initiatives and defend journalists who risk their lives to report the truth.
A free and independent press is the cornerstone of democracy. The world looks to the United States as a beacon of press freedom—now is the time to prove that we remain committed to that ideal. We urge immediate action to protect the press and preserve the public’s right to hold power to account.
Maryland public media outlets brace for federal funding cuts after Trump executive order
by Darreonna Davis
(Baltimore Banner, May 10, 2025)
NPR and PBS push back against Trump's order to cut funding: "This could be devastating"
by Edward Helmore
(The Guardian, May 4, 2025)
Public media ready to fight 'unlawful' Trump order defunding PBS, NPR
by Scott Nover, Herb Scrivner and Frances Vinall
(The Washington Post, May 2, 2025)
A look at Trump's executive order targeting public media funding
by William Brangham
(PBS, May 2, 2025)
Trump says he's ending federal funding for NPR and PBS. They say he can't
by David Folkenflik
(NPR, May 2, 2025)
Pam Bondi rescinds Garland DOJ policy against subpoenaing journalists
by Andrew Solender
(Axios, April 24, 2025)
As Trump pushes to defund NPR and PBS, Indiana lawmakers insert last-minute state funding cut
by Kayla Dwyer
(Indianapolis Star, April 24, 2025)
by Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan
(Democracy Now, April 24, 2025)
'Five alarm fire': How new tax law could decimate nonprofits - and what can be done
by Steve Taylor
(The Chronicle of Philanthropy, April 23, 2025)
This news outlet is leading the fight against Trump's foreign aid funding freeze
by Hanaa' Tameez
(Nieman Lab, April 23, 2025)
Former New York Times Lawyer discusses Trump's attacks on the press
by Peter Finnerty
(The Amherst Student, April 23, 2025)
Trump is restricting White House press access. It's not the first time.
by Max Abrams
(Freedom of the Press Foundation, April 22, 2025)
Why press freedom is crumbling in Trump's America
by Edmund Heaphy
(Raidió Teilifís Éireann, April 20, 2025)
In latest media crackdown, White House limits newswire access to Trump
(Reuters via NBC News, April 16, 2025)
Opinion: Public media is a pillar of our communities. Don't defund it.
by Maribel Pérez Wadsworth
(The News & Observer, April 16, 2025)
NPR CEO Katherine Maher addresses future of federal funding for public media
by Mary Louise Kelly, Tyler Bartlam,
Matt Ozug (NPR, April 16, 2025)
by Aidan Ryan
(Boston Globe, April 16, 2025)
Trump plans order to cut funding for NPR and PBS
by David Folkeflik and Scott Neuman
(NPR, April 15, 2025)
White House to ask Congress to cut $9B in funds, including for NPR, PBS and USAID
by Brett Samuels
(The Hill, April 14, 2025)
Despite a court order, White House bars AP from Oval Office event
by David Bauder
(Associated Press, April 14, 2025)
Trump urges the FCC to punish '60 Minutes' over reports on Greenland and Ukraine
by Brian Stelter
(CNN, April 14, 2025)
Trump's threat to global media is more wide-ranging than just a trade war
by Dominic Ponsford
(Press Gazette, April 10, 2025)
Student journalists win reprieve. Wake County won't cut off school newspaper websites.
by T. Keung Hui
(The News & Observer, April 10, 2025)
Emails between Pa. lawmakers and lobbyists will remain hidden from the public after court ruling
by Angela Couloumbis
(Spotlight PA, April 8, 2025)
AP wins reinstatement to White House events after judge rules government can’t bar its journalists
by David Bauder
(Associated Press, April 8, 2025)
In a strongman state, a Trump order extinguishes flickers of freedom
by Hannah Beech and Sun Narin
(New York Times, April 7, 2025)
Foreign journalists at US-backed media fear being sent to repressive homelands after Trump's cuts
by Didi Tang
(Associated Press, April 6, 2025)
A win for press freedom: Judge dismisses Gov. Phil Bryant's lawsuit against Mississippi Today
(Mississippi Today, April 4, 2025)
Sandy Springs restricts protests, canvassing and engaging with others without permission
by Hayden Sumlin
(Appen Media, April 2, 2025)
CPJ supports legal efforts to protect RFE/RL, VOA after Trump executive order
(Committee to Project Journalists, April 2, 2025)
(PEN America, April 1, 2025)
Far fewer Americans are hearing about Trump’s attacks on the media this time around, report finds
by Sarah Scire
(Nieman Lab, March 31, 2025)
Editorial: Trump leads a deliberate and dangerous assault on the free press
(National Catholic Reporter,
March 31, 2025)
Former journalist Kari Lake helps Trump gut global news agency
by Jessica Boehm
(Axios, March 28, 2025)
What to do about the looming end of U.S. public broadcasting
by Richard J. Tofel
(Second Rough Draft, March 27, 2025)
The Associated Press, banned from White House press pool, renews
request to court for reinstatement
by David Bauder
(Associated Press, March 27, 2025)
Trump's attacks on press freedom are paving the way for authoritarianism
by Joel Simon
(Vanity Fair, March 27, 2025)
In Senate Testimony, RCFP attorney highlights government threats to free speech
(Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, March 25, 2025)
2 months into Trump’s second administration, the news industry faces challenges from all directions
by David Bauder
(Associated Press, March 23, 2025)
Op-Ed: By firing Voice of America, Radio Free journalists,
by Kathy Kiely
(USA Today, March 19, 2025)
Op-Ed: Now that Trump has silenced Voice of America, could
U.S. public media outlets be next?
by Jim Friedlich
(Philadelphia Inquirer, March 18, 2025)
Trump's dismantling of Voice of America could lead to dominance
of anti-American propaganda, director says
by Nancy Cordes, Michael Kaplan, Caitlin Yilek
(CBS News, March 18, 2025)
Op-Ed: Defunding Voice of America is a win for China and Iran
by William A. Galston
(Wall Street Journal, March 18, 2025)
Press Freedom United is a nonpartisan, joint effort by these individuals, newsrooms and journalism support organizations serving the public interest across the United States