Our Media & Technology Initiative

Pamela, if you hadn't heard the name Brendan Carr before – you probably learned who he was when he strong-armed Disney into kicking Jimmy Kimmel off the air. Donald Trump picked Carr to chair the FCC – a federal agency tasked with ensuring that we can communicate and connect freely – without corporate gatekeepers OR political censorship getting in the way. But we've been following his career for years – as he's advocated for MORE corporate media mergers, MORE unregulated AI [1] and LESS of any journalism that doesn't report his chosen narrative. And it gets worse, Pamela: Trump's billionaires own our social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X), and they've bought up outlets like CBS and the Washington Post (not to mention Fox News.) They own the algorithms and the news it feeds you. And any outlet they don't outright own, they can bully into silence – like when Jimmy Kimmel got kicked off the air simply for telling a joke that Trump didn't like. Luckily, Common Cause members like you sprang into action – rapidly responding with our Turn Off Disney campaign that forced the company to back down within a week. But the stakes are much higher than one late night comedian. Carr was sending a signal to every reporter, journalist, and media personality in the country: if you make my boss, Donald Trump, mad then you're a target – and your boss at the TV station will probably take my side. That's why this couldn't be a better moment to remind you of Common Cause's Media & Technology Initiative – because we recognize that democracy can't function without a free, fearless, and independent press – and I know you realize that too. Throughout 2026, we'll be… shining a spotlight whenever Trump tries to censor speech he doesn't like – while opposing media mergers that would put these decisions up to just a few companies and their executives. exposing companies like Disney when they capitulate to Trump and put their bottom lines ahead of our right to free speech. mobilizing Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to demand Congress restore funding to public media like PBS and NPR so we have an alternative to corporate media that does Trump's bidding. It's a lot to take on – particularly when the foundations of democracy are under threat like never before. But if you agree that we'll only chart a better path forward if we tackle some of the big problems in our information environment, you can show us you're with us by making a Founding Contribution today. If you've saved your info with ActBlue, we'll process your contribution instantly: CHIP IN $5 CHIP IN $10 CHIP IN $20 CHIP IN $35 CHIP IN $50 CHIP IN $100 CHIP IN OTHER AMOUNT Thanks for all you do, The team at Common Cause Common Cause is a leader in fights that matter at the local, state, and national level. Your support helps us fight special interests, hold elected officials accountable, and build a better democracy for all Americans. DONATE Interested in volunteering with our Action Team? Sign up here. 805 15th Street, NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20005 202.833.1200 https://commoncause.org Common Cause's work to defend and strengthen our democracy is powered by members like you. You can use this link to unsubscribe or let us know you'd like to receive fewer emails from us.

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