Journalists and community leaders gather to tackle media censorship

On Tuesday, May 28, the Free Press hosted an event called “The Public Interest in Free Speech” at Cal State Los Angeles, which featured Federal Communications Commissioner (FCC) Anna M. Gomez who, along with community leaders and journalists, discussed the escalating attacks on free expression and their impact on the communities.

Jessica J. González, co-CEO of Free Press and panel moderator, denounced Trump’s attacks on free expression and the press, calling them direct threats to democracy. She emphasized that the event’s purpose was to spark conversation, build collective action and organize against policies that undermine free speech.

“The FCC is meant to protect consumers and ensure that there is free speech in this country. Instead, it's investigating newsrooms, it's going after companies that are practicing diversity equity and inclusion and it's going after media outlets that air opposing viewpoints. This seems to be a clear effort to quash dissent,” González said.

Other guest speakers who were included in the panel along with González and the commissioner of the FCC were UCLA Professor Safiya U. Noble, Southern California Public Radio (LAist) president and CEO Alejandra Santamaria and Gabriel Lerner, the editor emeritus of La Opinión.

“If I get fired, it isn't because I didn't do my job,” Gomez told the audience. “It's because I insisted on doing it.” This panel discussion was the first stop for Gomez's First Amendment tour to stop government censorship and control, since soon she will be the only Democrat on the commission. 

“I launched this First Amendment tour to bring attention to this administration’s campaign of censorship and control and I want to be clear, this is an administration-wide campaign,” Gomez said. “Freedom of the press requires journalists that are able to do their job without interference from their corporate parents. We are not seeing that today because of the actions of this administration, and it is so dangerous. We all need to understand what is happening, and we need people to speak up and to push back.”

Gomez also highlighted how the current administration is working to “shutter the voice of Americans,” pointing to efforts to target law firms, either for who they represent or for employees who have spoken out against the administration, as a key example of this crackdown.

The commissioner also pointed to several other alarming examples of censorship by the current administration, including efforts to control university curriculums, ban unions, arrest protestors and target institutions for their content. “It’s really an attempt to rewrite history,” she said. “We’ve seen them retaliate against any possible critic. This is an administration focused on censorship and control, and it’s very alarming. It has a real effect.”

“Journalists must realize that this situation is not normal, and doing nothing is not an option,” said Lerner. He emphasized that the “bed of lies” Trump operates from is fundamentally “not compatible” with a free press.

LAist’s Santamaria, during her panel time, spoke about the FCC going after the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which provides funding for stations like her own and how these attacks on media are impacting the ability to serve Angelenos. “The public support during this time, I think, is a testament to the work that we are doing,” she said. 

Santamaria also acknowledged that while journalists are facing increased pressure from the government, the silver lining is that “it’s no secret journalists are used to working under pressure.” Despite the challenges, she noted, many continue to push forward and report the truth.

She also emphasized the financial strain that media organizations are facing, noting that they've taken a hard look at their budgets and if funding from the CPB were eliminated, it would be “really hard to do the work” with such limited resources.

As her media outlet looks ahead, Santamaria shared that they’ve had to make some tough decisions, including a recent round of layoffs. She also acknowledged that they’re aware of being included on the list of organizations currently under FCC investigation.

“We feel very confident and ready to address any questions because we’re so organized and prepared,” Santamaria said. “But it’s still a heavy lift to submit everything being asked of us. We’re taking on legal fees we hadn’t budgeted for, and that’s a real strain.”

González touched on the subject of Project 2025 and emphasized that it “is a far-right extremist plan for government takeover currently being administered by the administration.” Project 2025, a policy blueprint released by the Heritage Foundation in 2023, outlines a series of proposed government overhauls. González stated that the policy blueprint calls for the FCC to assert authority over regulating social media platforms and how it could endanger free expression online and undermine independent media voices. 

She also referenced Dr. Safiya Noble’s book, “Algorithms of Oppression,” noting that it offers an in-depth examination of how algorithms can perpetuate and reinforce discrimination, particularly against marginalized communities.

“What the FCC chair is proposing is not only to look the other way on that discrimination but to actually force social media platforms to leave up hate and lies, even though they're private, independent companies,” González said.

Following a listening session with the audience, Commissioner Gomez wrapped up the panel discussion by stating that the administration’s actions seem to be fueled, at least in part, by a fear of criticism. She also highlighted a comment made by Arturo Carmona, founder of Latino Media Collaborative, who emphasized the importance of advocating for individuals who may be afraid to speak out due to fear of retribution. Ending her time, Gomez emphasized that this only underscores how crucial it is to safeguard an independent press.

Congressman Raul Ruiz (CA-25) made last-minute remarks by saying the free press is currently engaged in a fight for its survival and applauded Gomez for “her courage in taking this First Amendment tour.”