Fund independent journalism with $7.50 per month Claim discountClaim discount The Guardian - Back to home The Guardian Show more Hide expanded menu The UK prime minister, Andy Burnham, speaks to the Guardian's political editor, Pippa Crerar, about how to change the public's perception of politics after a difficult fiscal period. He says he is prepared to make the changes on the issues people are worried about, 'rather than constantly playing the political game' Sat 26 Sep 2026 12.31 EDT ## At this dangerous time We hope you appreciated this article. Before you close this tab, can we ask you to support the Guardian at this critical time for journalism in the US? For a few days only, our most impactful monthly support option is just $7.50 a month for six months. According to a leading global watchdog, US democracy is now more imperiled than at any point since the 1960s. Press freedom is under threat on many fronts – from criminal investigations to politicized regulation, frivolous lawsuits and catastrophic funding cuts to public media.

With the midterm elections approaching, these attacks are accelerating. Most recently, Donald Trump banned CNN, MS Now and Politico from the White House, in retaliation for “negative” coverage. A federal judge restored access, saying the ban was likely unconstitutional. In August, Trump suggested that the host of Meet the Press should be “punished” by the FCC for making a factual statement he disliked. Trump is using the agency – which is supposed to be an independent regulator – to settle political scores: The FCC targeted ABC after Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about Melania Trump.

The Pentagon fired the editor of Stars and Stripes newspaper for “insubordination” shortly after they reported on a suicide attempt aboard the USS Lincoln.

Together these efforts make it more difficult to get fact-based reporting to US voters ahead of critical elections that will determine control of Congress and the future of Trump’s agenda. Making matters worse, many of the US’s largest news organizations are now owned by billionaires whose personal and business interests may be at odds with safeguarding editorial independence. Media critics have observed how CBS News, now owned by a Trump ally, has softened its coverage; CNN could be taken over by the same billionaire; and Jeff Bezos has imposed extreme staff cuts and editorial interventions at the Washington Post.

When freedom is under attack, it falls to a determined few news organizations to ensure the full truth still reaches the public. The Guardian is owned neither by a billionaire nor a corporation and remains dedicated to keeping trustworthy journalism paywall-free for the world.

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Despite the risks of maintaining our fierce independence, what sustains us – and fills us with deep gratitude – is the unwavering support we’ve seen from readers. It is no exaggeration to say that we are here because of you: a majority of our funding comes directly from people like you responding to messages like this. Your support not only powers our work, but more importantly, it safeguards the financial independence that underpins our editorial freedom and courage. If you can, please support us today. All gifts are gratefully received, but for the next several days only, our most impactful monthly support option is $7.50 a month for the first six months. (Among the great benefits: you’ll see far fewer annoying fundraising messages like this.) It takes just 37 seconds to set up. Thank you for considering. Support once from just $1 lcome support of any size, any time - whether you choose to give $1 or more

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