Lawsuits as Weapons

The recent $10 billion lawsuit against CBS over Vice President Kamala Harris’s 60 Minutes interview exemplifies the intent to use the judicial system to intimidate and suppress critical media outlets. While legal experts universally dismiss the lawsuit as baseless, it has already served its purpose: creating a chilling effect on journalistic practices.

Filed in a jurisdiction known for favoring conservative causes, the lawsuit strategically plays into a larger narrative of attacking so-called “fake news” and undermining public trust in the press. CBS’s bold response—challenging the President-elect to appear on 60 Minutes to address grievances—stands as a testament to the courage needed to uphold journalistic integrity in these trying times.

A Climate of Fear

During the campaign, the President-elect intensified verbal assaults on the media, frequently encouraging supporters to boo and jeer at reporters during rallies. These orchestrated moments of hostility have now become a fixture of this political movement, cultivating an environment where journalists feel unsafe and targeted.

Moreover, threats to revoke broadcast licenses, investigate networks like NBC for “treason,” and imprison journalists for protecting sources have transitioned from campaign bluster to potential policy goals. This weaponization of government power against the press is an unprecedented escalation that could fundamentally alter the landscape of American journalism.

The Erosion of Public Trust

Anti-media rhetoric has significantly contributed to declining public trust in journalism, particularly among Republicans. According to a Pew Research Center study, trust in national news organizations among Republicans has plummeted to a historic low. This erosion of trust feeds into a vicious cycle: as the public becomes more skeptical of the media, efforts to hold power accountable become increasingly difficult.

A new FCC, a new mission: the “censorship cartel”

The appointment of Brendan Carr as FCC Chairman by the 2025 President-elect signals a potential shift in the regulatory landscape with significant implications for media and communications. Carr, known for his staunch criticism of major tech companies and advocacy for dismantling what he describes as a “censorship cartel,” has promised to reduce legal protections for platforms and scrutinize media organizations more closely. While Carr frames his priorities as promoting free speech, critics warn that his approach could lead to increased governmental control and suppression of dissenting voices. This appointment further underscores the incoming administration’s intent to reshape the boundaries of the freedom of the press and media accountability.

Why A Free Press Matters

A free press is not just a cornerstone of democracy; it is its lifeblood. The First Amendment ensures that journalists can report without fear of censorship or retribution, holding those in power accountable and keeping the public informed. Recent rhetoric and actions threaten to undermine these principles, creating a landscape where dissent is punished and misinformation thrives.

Now more than ever, news organizations must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to truth, accuracy, and ethical reporting. Journalistic integrity cannot be compromised, even in the face of political and legal pressures.

A Call to Action

As the incoming administration prepares to assume power, defending a free press will require collective effort. Journalists must continue to pursue their mission with courage, while the public must remain vigilant in supporting a free and independent press. Only through such unified resolve can we preserve the values that underpin American democracy.

Protect Your Privacy

It’s critical for individuals to take steps to safeguard their personal privacy. Use private browsing modes to limit tracking, VPNs to protect your location and encrypt your online activity, and messaging apps with end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to secure your communications. For highly sensitive information, consider using TOR to anonymize your online presence. By adopting these tactical privacy measures, you can protect yourself and support a culture of free and open communication in an increasingly surveilled world.

This critical juncture for the United States demands action. How the nation addresses these challenges will define the future of its democracy and the role of the press in safeguarding it.

So, What Exactly is End-to-End Encryption?

Imagine you’re sending a postcard through the mail. Anyone who handles it along the way can read what’s on it. Now imagine putting that postcard in a locked box that only the person on the other end has a key to open. That’s end-to-end encryption (E2EE). It’s a way to “lock up” your messages so that only you and the person you’re messaging can read them. Even if someone intercepts your message along the way, it’ll look like nonsense to them without the key.

The magic here is that E2EE happens automatically with apps like Signal. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to benefit from it!

Why Does End-to-End Encryption Matter in 2025?

We live so much of our lives online—talking to friends, sharing personal photos, managing finances, and even handling work tasks. With all this activity, there’s a lot of data out there about us, and the sad truth is, cyberattacks and data leaks are happening more than ever.

Here’s why E2EE has become something everyone should care about:

• It Keeps Your Private Conversations Private: With regular messaging, companies or even hackers could potentially peek at your messages. E2EE makes sure only you and the person you’re chatting with can see them.
• It Prevents Snooping: Unfortunately, some governments, companies, and individuals want to gather data on people. E2EE stops anyone without the key from eavesdropping on what you’re saying.
• It Blocks Data Theft: Imagine if a hacker could just listen in on everything you say online. E2EE scrambles your messages, so even if they intercept them, they won’t get anything useful.
• It’s a Simple Way to Protect Your Digital Life: You don’t need to understand the technical side of encryption to use it. Apps like Signal do the hard work in the background, so all you have to do is communicate as you normally would.

Why Signal is the Best App for End-to-End Encryption

There are many apps out there that claim to protect your privacy, but Signal stands out for a few key reasons:

• Encryption By Default: Signal is fully encrypted by default, so every single message and call is protected. You don’t have to turn anything on or off.
• Open Source and Transparent: Signal’s code is open source, meaning anyone can inspect it. This transparency builds trust because outside experts can confirm it’s doing exactly what it says—no sneaky data collection or backdoors.
• Minimal Data Collection: Most apps collect tons of data about you, but Signal only stores your phone number and the last time you accessed the app. That’s it. Even if someone demanded Signal hand over data, there’s practically nothing to give.
• Works Across All Devices: Signal works on iOS, Android, and desktop. This flexibility means you can easily connect with people, regardless of their device, and still keep your conversations private.
• Privacy Extras: Signal is packed with extra privacy tools like disappearing messages, blocking screenshots in-app, and even hiding message previews in notifications, so your private info stays private.

Simple Tips for Using Signal Safely

Signal is designed to make encryption easy, but here are a few ways to lock things down even more:

• Verify Safety Numbers: This is a quick check to confirm that your messages are going to the right person, not an imposter. Just check your contact’s “safety numbers” in the app.
• Set Up a Username Instead of Sharing Your Phone Number: Signal allows you to create a unique username, which is great if you want to chat without revealing your number.
• Use a Registration Lock PIN: This is an extra security feature that prevents someone else from registering your number on another device.
• Turn Off Link Previews: This stops the app from pinging websites to generate previews, keeping your browsing more private.
• Enable Disappearing Messages: With disappearing messages, your conversations will automatically delete after a set time, leaving no trace on your or your contact’s device.

What End-to-End Encryption Can’t Do

E2EE is a powerful way to keep your messages safe, but it has limits. It doesn’t make you anonymous, and if your device is lost or hacked, the encryption won’t help. Think of it as a seatbelt: it’s a strong layer of protection, but you still need to drive carefully. Encourage your friends or contacts to secure their devices too, because even the best encryption won’t protect your messages if the person on the other end is careless.

Signal: The Perfect Choice for a Secure Digital Life

In 2025, E2EE is a necessity for protecting your personal information and conversations. Signal makes it simple and easy to have those private, secure chats with family, friends, or colleagues. With features focused on privacy and cross-platform compatibility, Signal is the app of choice for anyone looking to lock down their communications.

If you’re new to using encryption, starting with Signal is a great way to take control of your digital privacy without the hassle. As digital threats grow, this simple step can make all the difference in keeping your private life truly private.