What's at stake on World Press Freedom Day...

On World Press Freedom Day today, I am reminded of the fundamental role that a free and independent press plays in our democracy in Canada — and what's at stake if we were to lose it.

Journalism is an essential tool in a democracy to hold those in power accountable and give the public access to information they need to make sense of our communities and the world. This is critical in our fight against the most urgent issue of our time – climate change.

The past year has been one of the most challenging for independent media organizations like Canada’s National Observer. Broken business models, extractive tech giants, and an information environment rife with misinformation, have compounded and resulted in mass layoffs of reporters at Postmedia, Global News, The Washington Post, NPR, Vox Media, BuzzFeed, Vice Media and more.

When we lose journalists, we lose fact-based reporting. That loss makes way for the kind of misinformation and disinformation in our national conversation that obstructs climate action when we need it most.

That's why we are asking for your support during our spring fundraising campaign. By donating to Canada’s National Observer, you can help ensure that the public remains informed, democracy is protected and climate change is pushed to the forefront of our national conversation. Direct support from our readers is essential to sustaining our journalism.

In recognition of World Press Freedom Day, please consider making a donation to our spring fundraiser to support the journalism we need to face the climate crisis in Canada. You are eligible for a tax receipt when you donate $1,000 or more via our fiscal sponsor I-SEA (see details in the footer below).

Your contribution will make a real difference in the fight to uphold the values of a free and independent press, and ensure Canadians have access to information they need to make informed decisions about their lives and their futures.

Thank you for your support.

Tim Lam

Director of Audience and Subscriptions

Canada’s National Observer

P.S. You are eligible for a tax receipt when you donate $1,000 or more to this fundraiser. The tax receipt is provided via our fiscal partner and collaborator, Institute for Sustainability, Education and Action (I-SEA).

You must make your donation through this PayPal link from I-SEA and use the "add special instructions to the seller" option to specify your donation is for "The Climate Solutions Reporting Project/Canada's National Observer". Contact [email protected] if you need help or have any questions.