As editor-in-chief of a publication for African immigrants, Edwin Okong’o strives for journalistic excellence to build a bridge between cultures and dispel American stereotypes of Africa and African communities. And the FCC was in the news last week for a couple of ill-considered decisions that raised the hackles of public interest and media reform groups.

The Media Giraffe Project encourages sustainable and innovative ways of using media to foster participatory democracy and community. And the House held a hearing this week on the Internet Freedom Preservation Act.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin announced the agency will craft a new plan for a national public safety network. And the Senate Commerce Committee passed a legislative veto of the FCC’s new media ownership rules as Rupert Murdoch prepared to bid for a third New York newspaper.

The New York Times uncovers a large, coordinated Pentagon scheme to sell the occupation of Iraq to the American public via a network of retired military officers acting as “analysts” and “experts.” And Net Neutrality takes center stage at both Congress and the FCC.

One big problem with the outcome of the 700 MHz auction: Giant telecom companies Verizon and AT&T were the big winners while women and minority businesses were squeezed out. And guest commentator Craig Aaron explains why Comcast should be voted America’s worst company.

At BroadbandCensus.com, you can find out about broadband providers in your area, see what your broadband speed actually is, and help create a nationwide census on broadband information that big media companies don’t want you to know. And Community Television of Santa Cruz plugs public access TV with an entertaining new video.

Public pressure may have forced Comcast to work with BitTorrent on finding ways to distribute large Internet files, but their collaboration is no substitute for actual policy that would keep the Internet open. And 25 rural Vermont towns have joined in a regional effort to bring high-speed fiber optic Internet access to their homes.

High hopes that the FCC spectrum auction would provide competition in the wireless market were dashed as Verizon and AT&T won bids for large portions of the airwaves. And the Chauncey Bailey Project continues to honor the work of the slain reporter.

The MPAA has allied themselves with cable and phone companies in their multi-million dollar fight against Net Neutrality. And the increasing disappearance of editorial from newspapers correlates with the rise of media consolidation.

Media activists are rallying support in the Senate to overturn ownership rules. And Radio Arte, Chicago's Latino-owned, bilingual public radio station, teaches more than radio skills to young people.