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.

Event: The Crisis in Climate Coverage
Josh Stearns
February 11, 2013

For too long media outlets have treated climate change like a policy debate with two equal and opposing sides, even as the vast weight of science has stacked up on one side of the debate. This tendency to equate unequal arguments, to validate inaccuracies and spin, has undoubtedly slowed much-needed progress toward both broader awareness and better policies.
Bring Dark Money to Account
Timothy Karr
February 8, 2013

Think the election season ended on Nov. 6? Think again.

The shadowy Super PACs and front groups that polluted the airwaves with political ads are already raising millions from corporations and billionaires to batter television viewers with a new wave of ads.
Big Trouble in Little Rock
Josh Stearns
February 7, 2013
When I look at Little Rock, Ark., I see media consolidation. But that’s not what the Federal Communications Commission sees, and that’s a problem.
Is Free Public Wi-Fi Possible?
Timothy Karr
February 6, 2013

The noisy response to a front-page Washington Post story about an alleged government plan to create free public Wi-Fi networks indicates public enthusiasm for cheaper Internet access in America. If only it were so simple.
(Not So) Free Wi-Fi
Josh Levy
February 4, 2013
Having failed to garner sufficient congressional support for SOPA, the powerful content industry (big Hollywood studios, the Recording Industry of America, etc.) has now partnered with equally powerful Internet service providers to hatch a “Six Strikes” plan that may threaten the availability of free public Wi-Fi.
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.
Susan Crawford Warns of Dire Consequences for Internet Users
Timothy Karr
February 1, 2013
Susan Crawford’s new book, Captive Audience, details a host of challenges for the Internet and its users as this network enters middle age. Many of its recent growing pains come at the hands of network providers like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon that sell access to the global network.
What AT&T's Latest Scheme Would Mean for American Consumers
Josh Levy
S. Derek Turner
January 31, 2013

In January, a German court ruled that the Internet is an “essential” part of life.

"The Internet plays a very important role today and affects the private life of an individual in very decisive ways,” said a court spokeswoman. “Therefore loss of use of the Internet is comparable to the loss of use of a car."
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.
Special Early-Bird Deadline Extended!
Candace Clement
January 30, 2013

Let's get right to it: We've all had enough of the racist, sexist, homophobic and otherwise insulting stereotypes perpetrated by the media.

Wanna do something about it? Join thousands of others in Denver on April 5–7 at the National Conference for Media Reform.