Media Policy News
We work hard to capture the media reform headlines following the stories of the day -- 20,000 readers subscribe to the Media Reform Daily newsletter. We also work hard to ensure that the public interest side of the story makes it into the story in the first place. And often you'll find us making news with our policy positions and our activism.
Check out the must reads for stories we think you shouldn't miss and Media Minutes, the weekly media reform radio show. Browse the most recent news headlines and search our extensive library of media reform news with articles dating back to 2003.
Must Reads
This is where you'll find breaking news, press releases, new research and reports and other important materials that can't be missed.
March 17.2010
In an age of woefully tame media, old D.C. journos could learn a thing or two from reporters traditionally considered at the bottom of the news industry's barrel. If aggressive paparazzi reporters were on Capitol Hill and Wall Street to hound our lawmakers and CEOs, we might finally get some answers -- and persuade them to actually work in the public's interest.
March 17.2010
There are a lot of very good things in the FCC's national broadband plan's 376 pages, including pledges to reform the Universal Service Fund and to re-allocate spectrum for broadband. But the plan glosses over some of thorniest problems plaguing U.S. Internet users: High prices, slow speeds and a lack of choices among providers.
March 15.2010
WASHINGTON -- In response to the release of the executive summary of the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Plan, Free Press Executive Director Josh Silver made the following statement:
March 12.2010
WASHINGTON -- A federal court has upheld regulations that prevent cable TV companies from withholding channels from competing TV providers, including satellite, telecom and smaller cable companies.
March 11.2010
As lobbyists for the largest Internet providers gushed over a National Broadband Plan designed to deliver fast and affordable Internet services to Americans who are currently priced out of the market, one of the largest providers, Comcast, informed customers that it planned to raise its rates even higher.
News Headlines
Read the most recent news articles on media reform issues.
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Kevin Fitchard, Connected Planet, March 19.2010
Ever since Clearwire acquired Sprint's WiMax business, it has bragged about its spectrum position -- with as much as 100 MHz in many markets -- compared to its primary 4G competitors AT&T and Verizon Wireless, which only have 12 MHz to 20 MHz of 4G licenses in most markets. But AT&T and Verizon are pointing out 700 MHz isn't the only band they can use for LTE.
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Roger Cheng, Wall Street Journal, March 19.2010
The next generation of wireless communications technology won't just change how quickly you can download your favorite Lady Gaga music video. It also may affect your wallet.
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Greg Sandoval, CNet, March 19.2010
Court filings released in the bitter $1 billion copyright fight between Viacom and Google's YouTube show just how far apart the companies remain, as the 3-year-old case winds through federal court.
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Wayne Friedman, MediaPost, March 19.2010
Viacom has revealed in court documents that YouTube executives deliberately allowed pirated copyrighted videos on its Web site -- all to profit from a big audience that those videos would attract. YouTube has countered that much of this misuse actually came from Viacom itself.
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Sam Gustin, Daily Finance, March 19.2010
Faster Internet service for more people -- who would have thought that would be such an evil thing? The Obama administration's National Broadband Plan has been public for only a few days, and it's already under fire from predictable quarters.
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Center for Media Justice, March 19.2010
The FCC's national broadband plan takes the first steps to ensure that Internet is faster, cheaper, and more available to those who need it most. But advocates working to address gaps in education, employment, and service access are concerned that closing the digital divide will require some hard choices, a real road map, and concrete policy recommendations that engage the voices of those most affected.
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Rob Pegoraro, Washington Post, March 19.2010
Despite the bulk of the FCC's 376-page National Broadband Plan -- this set of blueprints doesn't represent much of a change from the existing market for high-speed Internet access.
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Mike Seccombe, Vineyard Gazette, March 19.2010
The tiny population of Cuttyhunk, Mass. has won its David and Goliath battle with Comcast. The giant telecom company has reversed its decision to pull the plug on the islanders' do-it-yourself high speed Internet service.
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Radio Business Report, March 19.2010
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski told the Senate Commerce Committee recently that the FCC was just about ready to put the proposed merger of Comcast and NBCU before the public for comment, and true to his word, it is now before the public.
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Richard Koman, NewsFacter Network, March 19.2010
While there seems to be a consensus that the nation needs the FCC's proposed interoperable public safety network, paying for it could be a problem. The FCC wants a broadband tax, but private interests are already preparing opposition. The cost for the FCC's public safety plan would run into the billions.
