Media companies must stand up for free speech

The Washington Post, CBS Broadcasting Inc., and The American Broadcasting Company

Jeff Bezos is gutting the Washington Post’s opinion section – installing new leadership and demanding all pieces push “personal liberties and free markets.” [1]

First, the Washington Post refused to run our Fire Elon Musk ad, and now the entire opinion page has to toe the line, avoiding hard-hitting journalism that might challenge those in power.  

But they’re not the only media outlet that’s surrendering their journalistic duty. Right now, major media giants are rolling over for Trump and his billionaire allies – choosing profit over speaking truth to power:

  • CBS is preparing to settle Trump’s baseless $20 billion lawsuit against them – reportedly to help win his administration’s approval for a corporate merger. [2]  

  • ABC recently handed Trump $16 million in a lawsuit settlement rather than standing firm against his bullying. [3]  

  • And now, The Washington Post is showing a disturbing willingness to protect billionaire elites instead of defending press freedom.

This should set off alarm bells for every American who believes in free speech. It’s bigger than one lawsuit or one rejected ad – it's about whether the media is willing to fulfill their duty to our democracy: informing the public about what matters.

If you agree that our media should be holding the powerful accountable – not bowing to them – join us in urging legacy media outlets not to cave to Trump and his billionaire friends.

[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/media/jeff-bezos-washington-post-op-ed-david-shipley-rcna193817
[2] https://www.wsj.com/business/media/paramount-executives-ask-could-they-be-sued-for-settling-trumps-20-billion-cbs-lawsuit-228604a2
[3] https://www.politico.com/news/2024/12/17/media-lawyers-trump-lawsuits-fears-00194938

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To: The Washington Post, CBS Broadcasting Inc., and The American Broadcasting Company
From: [Your Name]

Media companies have an obligation to stand up for free speech and hold the powerful accountable, not bow to them.

The Washington Post, CBS Broadcasting Inc., and The American Broadcasting Company must fulfill their democratic duty – and NOT cave to Trump and his billionaire friends.