Represented election workers, voters, and a postal inspector who were defamed and terrorized as part of the Big Lie conspiracy theory, and helped them spotlight the human cost of disinformation
Safeguarding the Public Square
Our Work
Democratic decision-making requires a shared reality based on facts.
Without shared facts, citizens in a democracy cannot trust each other or our political leaders, or make informed voting decisions that hold our representatives accountable.
Today in the United States, the unmitigated spread of disinformation — false information deliberately spread by bad-faith actors — threatens to make too many of us apathetic, or even actively hostile, toward democratic institutions and one another.
But we have powerful tools to help stop disinformation and those who intentionally spread it. Together, we can create a healthier political discourse based on shared facts, genuine disagreement, and honest differences of opinion.
- Deter the spread of election-, voting-, and other democracy-related disinformation through litigation and other tools
- Neutralize the biases in our information ecosystem that allow disinformation to spread more easily than facts
- Disrupt the feedback loop that pushes elected officials toward enacting disinformation-driven policy
Produced research to help communities of color cope with the unique disinformation challenges they face, centering their voices, experiences, and expertise across these solutions
Impact in the News
Related News & Resources
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Ruby Freeman & Wandrea’ Moss v. Rudolph Giuliani (formerly Freeman v. Herring Networks, Inc. d/b/a One America News Network et al.).
- Safeguarding the Public Square
- Litigation
- Case Documents
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The Shortlist: Seven Ways Platforms Can Prepare for the U.S. 2024 Election
- Protecting Elections
- Safeguarding the Public Square
- Research & Analysis
- Reports
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Judge Rules Against the Makers of Election-Lie-Hyping Film ‘2,000 Mules’ — Allows Case to Proceed to Discovery
- Safeguarding the Public Square
- Litigation
- Statements
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Statement issued by Salem Media Group apologizing to Mark Andrews
- Safeguarding the Public Square
- Litigation
- Statements
Read more about our Law for Truth initative Read more about our Law for Truth initative
Jury in Federal Court Awards Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss $148,169,000 in Damages
Rudolph W. Giuliani owed defamed Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea’ ArShaye (“Shaye”) Moss damages after deliberately spreading lies in an effort to undermine 2020 election results.
December 15, 2023
Protect Democracy Files Amicus Brief Urging District Court Not to Short-Circuit Legislative Efforts to Require Labeling for Deceptive Political Deepfakes
On September 27, 2024, Protect Democracy filed an amicus brief in a case challenging California's new political deepfake labeling law, AB 2839.
September 27, 2024
Authoritarianism, explained
Authoritarianism is a method of rule that suppresses political freedoms and civil rights, using various levers of control to shift power from the people to the hands of one ruler or set of rulers.
August 12, 2024
Judge Dismisses Rudy Giuliani Bankruptcy Proceeding
Mr. Giuliani initiated the proceeding in December 2023, three days after Ruby Freeman and Ms. Moss obtained a more than $146 million judgment against him.
August 2, 2024
NetChoice explained: How SCOTUS wisely avoided two extreme approaches to regulating social media
NetChoice walks a careful line at the intersection between the First Amendment and the internet — and in so doing, sounds a hopeful note for this area of jurisprudence.
July 26, 2024
Court Dismisses The Gateway Pundit’s Bankruptcy Case Allowing Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss to Continue Their Defamation Case
Today, a bankruptcy judge in a Florida court dismissed a case filed by The Gateway Pundit, allowing Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Wandrea’ ArShaye Moss to continue their defamation suit.
July 25, 2024
Statement issued by Salem Media Group apologizing to Mark Andrews
On May 31, 2024, Salem Media Group issued a release (image below), stating in part “It was never our intent that the publication of the 2000 Mules film and book would harm Mr. Andrews.
May 31, 2024
Statement from Counsel for Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss on Giuliani’s Stipulation to Permanent Injunction
In an agreement filed today, Mr. Giuliani has agreed to never again accuse either Ms. Freeman or Ms. Moss of engaging in any wrongdoing in connection with the 2020 election.
May 21, 2024
The Shortlist: Seven Ways Platforms Can Prepare for the U.S. 2024 Election
Protect Democracy has produced four recommendations to inform preparations to safeguard the information ecosystem surrounding the U.S. general election.
March 12, 2024
The Shortlist: Messaging Platform Recommendations
These four recommendations will ensure messaging platforms are ready for global elections through 2024.
March 11, 2024
The Shortlist: Social Media Platform Recommendations
These four recommendations will ensure social media platforms are ready for global elections through 2024.
March 11, 2024
