Campaign
Internet Access For All
Internet access has become crucial for participating in our Democracy. Yet the digital divide prevents over 4 million Americans from accessing internet connection.
Local Journalism & Media Consolidation
Our democracy works best when we can access rich and varied information. That is why Common Cause is combatting efforts to shut down local news outlets and create dangerous media monopolies.
Our 21st-century democracy needs a diverse, open, and independent media—not a few mega-conglomerates controlled by the wealthy few. Not only does the media keep us informed, but it also is often responsible for framing important issues like healthcare, economic justice, immigration, and more.
That is why it is key to include a diverse array of voices in the conversation. When traditional media and social media platforms are owned by a small number of corporations, it narrows the available perspective and stifles the investigative journalism that our democracy depends on. Common Cause is committed to putting the brakes on dangerous media consolidation, as well as advocating for local journalism protections that put everyday people first.
What We’re Doing
Campaign
Net Neutrality
Americans rely on the internet to access the information necessary to pursue education, gain employment, receive healthcare, and get civically engaged in our democratic process.
Campaign
No Fox Fee
Common Cause is urging cable companies to stop Fox News from raising our bills to pay for its election lies.
Take Action
Petition
Save PBS from GOP budget cuts
Congress must REJECT proposals to cut funding for PBS – which Americans consistently rank as the most trustworthy network for news and public affairs.
Attacks on PBS are attempts to silence independent media. We must protect free, fact-based journalism and ensure access to trusted programming for all Americans.
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Share Your Story
Help us hold media platforms and bad actors accountable! We are looking for stories about how election disinformation, internet access, and news sources impact how Americans participate in our democracy. Please respond to one or more of the following questions using this form. Have you or a loved one experienced Cyber Suppression? Has your content/ account every been banned/ suppressed/ suspended due to engaging in political topics? Do you suspect that your personal information (party...
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Sign Up As A Digital Democracy Activist
Are you interested in defending your community from cyber suppression? If so, you should become a Digital Activist!
Your financial support helps us make an impact by holding power accountable and strengthening democracy.
Updates
Blog Post
Protecting Voters from Election Disinformation
Blog Post
2023 Wrapped: The Top Common Cause Led Victories of the Year
Blog Post
Election Disinformation in 2022 and What We Learned for 2024
Related Resources
Guide
Media Literacy Skill: Lateral Searching
"What do I do if my loved ones do not trust verified sources of information?" is the #1 most asked question among trusted messengers navigating conversations about media literacy.
Lateral reading or lateral searching is a strategy that helps us to determine for ourselves who is a credible source of information.
Lateral reading or lateral searching is a strategy that helps us to determine for ourselves who is a credible source of information.
Legal Filing
Washington Post v. McManus
In August 2018, the Washington Post, Baltimore Sun and other local newspapers sued the state of Maryland challenging the constitutionality of the state’s recently-enacted campaign finance disclosure law that requires certain "online platforms" to collect and make available to the public information about groups and individuals that pay to place political ads on such online platforms.
Press
News Clip
Forbes: FCC Votes To Restore Net Neutrality: A Win For Consumers And Democracy
Former FCC Commissioner and Common Cause Special Adviser Michael Copps shared his perspective on the importance of reinstating net neutrality: “If I weren't out of the country today, I would be personally at the FCC jumping up and down, saluting the majority for reinstituting the network neutrality rules that were so foolishly eliminated by the previous Commission.”
Copps has been a staunch advocate for an open Internet for over two decades, emphasizing that the reinstated rules are not only moderate but have previously been...
Copps has been a staunch advocate for an open Internet for over two decades, emphasizing that the reinstated rules are not only moderate but have previously been...
Press Release
FCC Votes to Restore Net Neutrality
Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to restore Net Neutrality. The move restores the FCC’s authority under Title II of the Communications Act to oversee broadband providers and enforce the open-internet protections. The Open Internet Order was repealed during the Trump Administration in the face of widespread public opposition – including comments filed during the proceedings opposing the controversial reversal by the agency.
Press Release
“Democracy Scorecard” Tracks Lawmaker Support for Pro-Democracy Bills in 118th Congress
With 2024 congressional races in full swing, Common Cause is again tracking the positions of every Member of Congress on issues vital to the health of our democracy. For the fifth cycle in a row, Members of the House and Senate have received letters from Common Cause asking them to co-sponsor and support up to ten democracy reform bills. The letters inform Members that their voting and co-sponsorship record will be published in Common Cause’s “Democracy Scorecard,” which will be distributed to the organization’s 1.5 million members, as...
