On behalf of everyone in the Guardian US newsroom, thank you for having our backs.

We are hugely grateful for the freedom we are granted as a reader-funded news organization, unburdened by corporate influence or billionaire ownership. Instead, we are accountable only to readers like you, a responsibility we take extremely seriously – on World Press Freedom day, and every other day.

While other major news organizations have built paywalls around their reporting, the Guardian has refused to follow suit. Instead, we are proud to make our news available to everyone, regardless of ability to pay – because we believe that access to free, factual information is vital for democracy. Never has this been more important.

Around the world – and increasingly in the US – the free press is under threat from bad actors, autocratic politicians and rampant misinformation. At the Guardian, editorial independence and standing up to power are at the heart of our mission and purpose.

This World Press Freedom Day, help keep responsible journalism open to all by supporting the Guardian. It takes just half a minute to contribute – and any amount, no matter how small, is helpful to us. Thank you.

We’re not owned by a billionaire or shareholders: we're fiercely independent, which means we report on fact, not fiction. We are not for sale – but only thanks to your support. If you can, please support us from just £1. Thank you.