The Southlander stands in unwavering solidarity with our media colleagues at BreakThrough News.
Since February 9, 2026, the House Committee on Ways & Means, led by Representative Jason Smith, has demanded BreakThrough News turn over financial records, while claiming that the journalism published by the newsroom “aligns with pro-[Chinese Communist Party] rhetoric” and, after Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023, “shifted their coverage in a way that suggests its intent on sowing division within the United States.”
Congressional members Smith, Richard Neal, and their MAGA-led group’s effort to intimidate and discredit news organizations represent a troubling assault on the principles of a free press. Equally troubling are the members of Congress who sit idly by and say and do nothing as their counterparts lead the attack. These are blatant, authoritarian attacks on the First Amendment intended to chill free speech. BreakThrough News has been at the forefront of providing on-the-ground reporting from the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza, the war against Iran, and issues across Latin America and the United States. In short, BreakThrough News has done what Rep. Smith is too cowardly to do: say the truth.
Journalism exists to inform the public and hold power to account. A healthy society is informed on the root causes of issues affecting lives — this all depends on journalists’ ability to report without fear of retaliation.
Public officials can criticize or disagree with the news; however, using their authority to intimidate or suppress news organizations for their viewpoints is a constitutional violation.
We condemn efforts by members of Congress to target BreakThrough News for its journalism. We call on Representatives Smith, Neal and nearly every other member of the committee to reject foreign influence, cease taking money from the Israeli lobby and call a genocide a genocide.
We call on all major and small newsrooms to join the call in support of BreakThrough News’ right to do journalism. We call on legacy newsrooms to ask them to donate to BreakThrough News’ fundraiser. The Trump Administration has made it clear that it is after media outlets for reporting the truth, both here at home and abroad.
For nearly three years, representatives like Smith and the others on the Ways and Means Committee have directed our tax dollars toward a genocide in Gaza, where our colleagues have been killed — some deliberately targeted and assassinated while reporting on it. At the same time, we witnessed the U.S. corporate media play a significant role in hiding the truth.
The Southlander stands up for press freedom, even when the reporting is controversial, unpopular, or challenges mainstream narratives. Our own reporters have been sued, intimidated, and threatened by government officials, police associations, and political organizations for their work in journalism. We know firsthand the weight that a demand can carry on a small newsroom.
Journalism is not a crime. Free and independent media is not a threat to democracy, it is an essential one.
We will not remain silent.
