Media Reform

Is America Still a Beacon for Press Freedom?

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:27:19 -0400

by Craig Aaron and Josh Stearns

The United States of America -- land of the free, home of the First Amendment -- is supposed to be a beacon for the rest of the world. So where do we stand in the latest global rankings of press freedom?

Thirty-sixth.

That's not a typo. It's a national disgrace.

The Press Freedom Index released last week by Reporters Without Borders reflects both the freedoms journalists enjoy as well as the "efforts made by the authorities to respect and ensure respect for this freedom."

Public Interest Groups Support Nov. 4 White Spaces Vote

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:00:23 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2008

Public Interest Groups

A coalition of the nation's leading consumer, media and public interest groups is calling on Congress to support using empty public airwaves -- known as "white spaces" -- to bridge the digital divide and bring Internet service to millions of Americans in underserved communities.

Broadband Must Be Top Priority in USF Reform

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:20:58 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2008

Free Press

Free Press filed a letter last night urging the Federal Communications Commission to make universal, affordable broadband a priority in any plans to reform the Universal Service Fund. The fund currently subsidizes telephone networks in underserved rural areas -- but in the face of rapid technological change, this phone-based system has become increasingly outdated.

The Local Community Radio Act Will Increase Local Voices, Choices

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:21:27 -0400

by Jonathan Lawson

This fall, Congress has the opportunity to expand local radio choices for people in cities and towns across America by passing a single, bipartisan piece of legislation. The Local Community Radio Act will allow hundreds more small noncommercial stations to fill vacant spaces on the radio dial - increasing local voices and music choices.

Why DC Lobbyists Fear 'White Spaces'

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:53:34 -0400

by Timothy Karr

What if I told you we could use empty TV channels to connect millions of people to the Internet?

The technology exists to do just that. But a powerful corporate lobby is standing in the way with a multimillion-dollar misinformation campaign aimed at Congress and the Federal Communications Commission.

This month and next Washington will face a critical choice: Use new technology to open the Internet for everyone, or side with the lobbyists and prevent millions from getting connected.

Time's Up: Comcast Must Come Clean About Internet Blocking

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:15:30 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2008

Free Press

Comcast, the nation's largest cable company, must disclose to the Federal Communications Commission the full details of its past and future "network management" practices by midnight tonight. This disclosure is required as part of the FCC's enforcement order sanctioning the cable giant for blocking Internet users' access to lawful online content and services.

FCC Spreads Digital Disinformation on TV Transition

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:41:05 -0400

by Bruce Dixon

Thanks to corporate media's longstanding refusal to report on itself, along with a multimillion dollar campaign of public disinformation paid for by the FCC on behalf of commercial broadcasters, high-def TV and converter boxes are all most of know about the switch to digital TV. Last Monday, September 8, Wilmington NC became the first community in the nation to cease analog TV broadcasting and switch entirely to digital.

St. Paul Mayor and Media Mum on Journalism Crackdown

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:56:37 -0400

by Timothy Karr

In St. Paul this week, a new generation of media makers is under assault by the city's mayor and law enforcement officers.

These local officials think freedom of the press is a privilege that extends only to their closest allies in mainstream media.

For the rest of us, it's a crime.

When Fairness Became a Four-Letter Word

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:28:49 -0400

by Barry Nolan

Over the 28 years I have been in television, I have interviewed a lot of people that seemed to be having "issues" with the truth. Killers, rapists, hookers, scam artists, even O. J. Simpson. And in all that time I have only had one person walk out of an interview when their veracity was challenged. He was a TV executive for Sinclair Broadcasting.

Free Press Calls for Charges to Be Dropped Against Amy Goodman, Independent Journalists

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:20:03 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2008

Free Press

Today Free Press, the national, nonpartisan media reform group, called on St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and local law enforcement officials to drop all charges against all journalists arrested while covering protests outside the Republican National Convention. Those arrested Monday include Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman and two producers from her show, as well as a photographer from the Associated Press. Other independent journalists have been pepper-sprayed and even held at gunpoint during "pre-emptive" raids aimed at disrupting protesters.