Political wrangling is holding Super Wi-Fi spectrum hostage. The House has tacked on amendments to its payroll tax bill that spell big trouble for the FCC and spectrum use. And a new bill in the Illinois legislature would allow people to record on-duty police in public without permission.

A new book that tells the story of race and the American media has been garnering interest and accolades. The book, co-authored by Free Press’ Joseph Torres, explores how people of color have fought for fair and just treatment from the mainstream media — and are still fighting for it today.

Wireless users got an early holiday present this week when the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile collapsed. But Verizon’s proposed spectrum deal with several cable companies is a big lump of coal for consumers. And the 12th annual radio program, Calls from Home, is airing the voices of family members sending holiday greetings to incarcerated loved ones.

Improving the quality of news coverage and presenting a greater range of viewpoints were the main topics of discussion at an FCC hearing in Atlanta. And as more people access news and information via the Internet, are they getting journalism that values diversity, transparency and accountability?

A group of AT&T shareholders is asking the company to commit to Net Neutrality principles on its wireless broadband network. The FCC announced it will move toward digitizing public files and improving program-reporting requirements for broadcasters. And President Obama has nominated two new FCC commissioners.

Free Press filed a federal lawsuit to challenge the Federal Communications Commission’s Open Internet rules. And Black Voices for Internet Freedom is a new coalition of local and national organizations and leaders focused on keeping the Internet open and free from discrimination.

A new investigation found that U.S. TV news is turning away from video reporting and to arguing pundits and hypothetical conversations about what might be happening. And it’s been 50 years since Newt Minow gave his speech about TV’s “vast wasteland.” In this digital age, his words still reverberate for the industry, policymakers and public interest advocates.

The Justice Department delivered good news to consumers when it filed suit to block the proposed merger between AT&T and T-Mobile. A coalition of public interest and digital rights groups asked the FCC to declare that the Bay Area Rapid Transit system violated federal law when it shut down its cellphone service. And coverage of presidential candidate Ron Paul seems to be missing in the media, as the mainstream media uses its power to weed out candidates.

In a victory for the public interest, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals dealt a decisive blow against would-be media moguls this week. It threw out the FCC’s rules that would have allowed one company to own a newspaper and broadcast stations in the same market. And pediatricians agree with First Lady Michelle Obama. They both say that kids should limit their time in front of TV, computers and other devices.

The FCC released its 450-page assessment on the future of media. Unfortunately, many the report’s recommendations around localism, media consolidation and transparency are contradictory to its analysis. And Sonic’s new 1 Gbps fiber broadband connection with two phone lines for $70 is sure to shake up the broadband market in Sonoma County.