This is a moment of truth. A message from our CEO.
Dear Friend,
Late last night, WBUR signed onto an amicus brief, filed today by the Reporters Committee. The brief urges a federal court to immediately restore White House access to CNN, MS NOW and Politico. Dozens of others signed on too.
This is a moment of truth.
President Trump said he banned those news organizations because they constantly report "FAKE NEWS!" His words. Over the weekend, their reporters were barred from entering the White House. Their badges were confiscated. This is a major escalation in the president's war on journalism and journalists.
In an act of unity, television networks are boycotting coverage of White House events. WBUR and NPR will not use audio from those events either.
This is about your right to know.
The Reporters Committee says the president's ban is "flatly unconstitutional." The First Amendment exists for moments like this. Without that protection, a free and independent press disappears, and so does your ability to know what's really going on.
When news breaks, we don't.
The forces against independent journalism are mounting. We can't afford to lose this fight. And we need people like you, who believe that high-quality journalism is essential, to join our cause. To protect what you value.
Give: Haven't given yet? You're not alone. 90% of people who count on us don't. Now is the time to change that. You belong here. Join the tens of thousands of people who have become WBUR Members. This is not the time to sit on the sidelines.
Give again: Gave last year? You rock. Thank you. Please stick with us and renew your support. Better yet, increase it if you can. Show how much WBUR means to you.
At a time when so much is broken, WBUR is choosing to build. And we're building things our community wants. First-class journalism and enriching experiences. Please help us keep the momentum going at a critical moment for WBUR, for Boston and for the country — when the stakes are so high and truth is in such short supply.
We're better when we band together. Thank you for believing. Thank you for giving.
With appreciation,
Margaret Low
CEO, WBUR