Protect Journalism Online

TikTok influencer in Montana after the ban was issued - AP23187638051023

AP Photo/Tommy Martino

Efforts to undermine First Amendment rights on the internet and to censor online content are a fundamental threat to the free press.

When lawmakers try to censor online speech or entire platforms, it harms the First Amendment rights on which journalists rely.

Most people get their news online, and the internet and social media are especially important for independent and citizen journalists who publish there. Anyone who cares about press freedom should also oppose attempts to undermine free speech online.

Tell lawmakers to REJECT congressional secrecy

Help us tell Congress that online censorship legislation won’t stop real safety threats — the only thing it will protect politicians from is investigative journalists.

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Edit this message so that it is unique to you: Dear Representative, I am writing to ask that your office REJECT and speak out against S.2144 or any similar legislation proposed in the House. I believe this legislation would not make lawmakers more secure and would lead to the censorship of constitutionally protected speech. S.2144 would allow members of Congress — and, in an expansion of past versions, even former members — to compel the censorship of a broad range of information that journalists and others are constitutionally entitled to publish. It will facilitate corruption by hindering reporting on congressional affairs, while providing a mirage of security to lawmakers and their loved ones. It is in direct conflict with the values that your office seeks to uphold: transparency, accountability, free expression, and freedom of the press. It would impede efforts by journalists and watchdogs, for example, to check property, vehicle, or travel records to investigate bribery allegations, monitor lawmakers leaving their districts during emergencies, scrutinize potential financial conflicts impacting policy positions, and a myriad of other newsworthy matters. PLEASE REJECT this unconstitutional bill and urge your colleagues to focus on efforts to keep lawmakers (and everyone else) safe without undermining transparency and accountability, which are themselves vital for public safety.

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Thank you for helping us tell Congress not to grant itself broad power to censor the internet. It’s trying to do this quietly and needs to know that people are paying attention.

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Join me in telling Congress that the public is unwilling to trade government transparency for a false sense of security for politicians. https://freedom.press/issues/protect-journalism-online/

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