Greenlighting journalism in a chaotic age

To anyone paying close attention, 2025 has been an ominous year—everything seems different.

And yet in a way, nothing is different. The current upheaval requires the same response as any in the past: sanity, humane values, respect for science, the rule of law, good government, accountability.

It requires journalism.

FIRE has continued to help freelancers navigate reporting challenges, secure protection from defamation exposure, and release stories on everything from mental health to gun violence. (More recent milestones here).

As announced previously, we are adding innovative $25,000 Greenlight Grants to enable big stories, with an upcoming deadline of March 19 or later (exact date TBA)—more here.

It's our part. Accountability journalism, in all its facets, is the key to everything at stake in a democracy—always.

We'll update this space early next month with the application deadline for the Greenlight Grants.

Thanks and more soon!

Laird Townsend, FIRE Director