Friend,

Yesterday, we hosted a great conversation with FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, journalists and lawmakers about growing threats to free speech — and our panelists did not mince words:

“I launched this First Amendment tour to bring attention to this administration’s campaign of censorship and control — and I want to be clear, this is an administration-wide campaign,” Gomez said during the event. “Freedom of the press requires journalists that are able to do their job without interference from their corporate parents. We are not seeing that today because of the actions of this administration and it is so dangerous. We all need to understand what is happening and we need people to speak up and to push back.”

As we heard from our illustrious panelists, each and every one of us can be an important check on disinformation and corruption. U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz was right to ask, “How can we begin to have a debate — how can we even begin to create policy — when we can’t even agree on what reality is, or what the truth is?”

We know all too well how disinformation is deeply tied to the rise of authoritarianism.

Gabriel Lerner — editor emeritus of La Opinión — offered a haunting warning that will remain with me as I continue leading Free Press’ democracy-defense work: “Many Americans think that this will pass in less than four years or with the inevitable passage of time. Thanks to the First Amendment, many think that America is so exceptional that you don’t have to do anything because fascism will never happen here. Not true. I compare that with those who dance on the Titanic thinking it will never sink.”

We’re sorry you couldn’t make it, but please join us next Thursday as we convene an expert panel to discuss the rise of retaliation politics — and the free-speech crisis facing our country. RSVP now to learn how the Trump administration is targeting students, protesters, journalists and even the courts to weaken the First Amendment.

Thank you,

Jessica and the rest of us at Free Press

P.S. You can watch the full recording of our conversation with Commissioner Gomez.