Freedom of the press — a cornerstone of American democracy protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution — is under attack.
At the highest levels of government, the press is denounced as “the enemy of the people,” and media outlets are derided as “fake news.” This has eroded public trust in the press and other democratic institutions, as the Knight Foundation reported recently.
These trends are alarming. But there is hope.
Since 2011, I’ve served on the Board of Directors of the nonprofit New England First Amendment Coalition (NEFAC).
We fight every day to: protect press freedom, enhance access to public records, provide First Amendment education, and explain the value of investigative watchdog reporting, such as The Boston Globe’s Pulitzer Prize-winning exposé of clergy sex abuse.
As a journalist and long-time editor of the Globe’s Spotlight Team, I can attest to the importance of the coalition’s work. I’ve seen it make a difference in newsrooms and communities throughout the region.
We need your support to continue our efforts on behalf of all New Englanders. Please make a tax-deductible contribution today.
Every dollar you give will help strengthen journalism in the region, increase government transparency and defend the First Amendment rights we all cherish.
Sincerely,
Walter V. Robinson
The Boston Globe
Editor at Large and Former Spotlight Team Editor
NEFAC Director Since 2011