VTDigger reporter Charlotte Oliver questions U.S. Senator Peter Welch, D-Vermont, during a press conference at the Statehouse in Montpelier on Friday, February 6, 2026. Photo by Glenn Russell/VTDigger Dear Reader, Sunday, May 3 is World Press Freedom Day, a time to reflect on the role of a fr ee press around the world. Recent global reporting shows press freedom is declining steeply — on par with periods of major global instability, including the two world wars and the Cold War. When journalists are threatened, intimidated and physically harmed, the public’s access to reliable information is at risk. If you rely on fact-based reporting, this is a meaningful moment to support it. Will you strengthen press freedom by making a monthly or one-time gift today? Give now Here in Vermont, access to reliable, fact-checked news is something we’ve built together, thanks to your support. When readers like you donate to VTDigger, we can send reporters to the Statehouse, to cover weather emergencies, protests and court hearings.  That coverage strengthens Vermont. Research shows that strong local news helps communities stay informed, increases civic participation and keeps public officials and corporations accountable. It also helps neighbors understand one another, even when issues are complex or contentious. Each month, hundreds of thousands of people turn to VTDigger for this kind of reporting. But only a small percentage of readers financially support it.  Will you make a donation in honor of World Press Freedom Day? Donate now VTDigger is independent and nonprofit. We don’t have a paywall, we’re not backed by corporate owners, and we’ve never received federal funding. Our reporting is fueled by readers who believe that access to reliable information should remain available to everyone. Your support helps ensure that continues this year and in the years ahead. Thank you for reading, and for considering an investment in our team of reporters. Sincerely, Sky BarschCEO, VTDigger Read the story on VTDigger here: World Press Freedom Day starts here in Vermont. ...read more read less