Blog

Welcome to the Free Press blog! We post several times a week on everything from Internet access to free speech to media mergers, so check back often to see what we’re up to.

Five Questions for the Next FCC Chief
Timothy Karr
June 18, 2013

Tom Wheeler, the White House’s pick to head the Federal Communications Commission, was for years a well-heeled lobbyist for cable and wireless companies. He also served the president’s 2008 and 2012 election campaigns as a top “bundler,” raising more than $700,000 from undisclosed donors in support of Obama.
Who Owns the Media? Obama's Next FCC Chairman
Craig Aaron
May 21, 2013
When President Obama nominated Tom Wheeler as the next chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, he praised him as the "Bo Jackson of telecom" — because he's been an all-star in two industries.
Time for Change: First Woman Takes Helm at the FCC
Joseph Torres
May 21, 2013
It’s important to celebrate whenever social barriers are knocked down — including the one that fell on Monday when Mignon Clyburn became the acting chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission.
Jon Stewart for FCC Chair
Josh Stearns
March 29, 2013

On Thursday night, Jon Stewart "interviewed" Rupert Murdoch about the News Corp. mogul's ambitions to buy the Los Angeles Times — and the legal hurdles that stand in the way of this acquisition.
Why the New Boss at the FCC Should Be Nothing Like the Old Boss
Craig Aaron
March 27, 2013
In announcing his departure as chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Julius Genachowski said: "The last four years have demonstrated that the country needs an effective FCC."
In Your Face, Rupert
Josh Stearns
March 8, 2013

We’ve been fighting media consolidation for a decade, and this month we chalked up another win. Thanks to the efforts of Free Press activists and allies around the country, the Federal Communications Commission announced it will again delay its vote on whether to weaken the media ownership rules.
Win, Fail or Racist? A Look at Super Bowl Commercials
Jorge Rivas
February 4, 2013
More than 111 million people tuned into the 2012 Super Bowl, the most-watched program in television history. The final numbers aren't in yet, but Super Bowl 2013 was expected to be another record-breaker. The commercials likely made some people laugh, some people cry — and undoubtedly left others infuriated.
Spin the Revolving Door: Tribune Hires FCC Chairman's Right-Hand Man
Craig Aaron
January 30, 2013
A lot of things don't work at the Federal Communications Commission. Consumer complaints disappear for years into seemingly bottomless file drawers. The wonky proceedings are hard to decipher if you're not a telecom lawyer. Even the website is clunky. But at least one thing at the FCC always runs at full speed: the revolving door.
FCC Chairman's Legacy: Ignoring Diversity
Joseph Torres
January 29, 2013
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski’s plan to allow greater media consolidation in local markets could wipe out many of the remaining TV station owners of color left in the country.
Fighting Words for the FCC
Amy Kroin
January 28, 2013
Our nation’s capital is known for its bare-knuckle brawls. But last Thursday there was a smackdown of a different variety, courtesy of a debate on “Media Ownership and the Public Interest.” The event explored the gulf between America’s shifting demographics — and the incredibly puny numbers of women and people of color who actually own broadcast TV and radio stations.