Craig Aaron, Senior Program Director
Craig Aaron leads all program, advocacy and communications work. He works in the Washington office and speaks regularly on media, Internet and journalism issues. His commentaries appear regularly in the Guardian and the Huffington Post, and he blogs at both SavetheInternet.com and StopBigMedia.com. Craig has appeared on ABC World News Tonight, PBS, BBC, Bloomberg TV and NPR. He is a regular guest on talk radio shows across the country and is quoted often in the national and local press. Before joining Free Press, he was an investigative reporter for Public Citizen's Congress Watch, where he helped create and launch WhiteHouseForSale.org. Craig was also managing editor of In These Times magazine and is the editor of the book Appeal to Reason: 25 Years In These Times. He has taught in the journalism department of Chicago’s Columbia College and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.
Recent press statements
Major U.S. Consumer Groups Support FCC Action on Net Neutrality
WASHINGTON -- 28 major U.S. consumer and public interest groups, including Free Press, signed on today to a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chair Julius Genachowski in support of stronger Net Neutrality rules. The FCC is releasing proposed new rules at a meeting on Thursday.
Low Power Radio Advances in Congress
WASHINGTON -- The House Committee on Energy and Commerce voted unanimously on Thursday to pass the Local Community Radio Act (HR 1147). The legislation, introduced by Reps. Mike Doyle (D-Penn.) and Lee Terry (R-Neb.), would open the public airwaves to hundreds of new Low Power FM radio stations in communities across the country.
Free Press Applauds President Obama's Commitment to Net Neutrality
WASHINGTON -- Today, President Barack Obama, in a speech about the nation's cyber-security, reaffirmed his commitment to Network Neutrality. Obama said, "I remain firmly committed to Net Neutrality so we can keep the Internet as it should be -- open and free."
In the news
Net Neutrality Is a Good Investment
Craig Aaron,
Broadcasting & Cable
With the FCC poised to propose new rules on Net Neutrality, phone and cable lobbyists have been hammering lawmakers, regulators and the press about the "unintended consequences" of FCC action. One of the most pervasive myths being peddled is that Net Neutrality will hinder investment. It is simply wrong to suggest that Net Neutrality will automatically deter investment.
Save the News Campaign Event Energizes Denver
Gavin Dahl,
Reclaim the Media
Over 200 people gathered in downtown Denver for a Save the News event. The capacity crowd workshopped in 14 small group discussions including Participatory Journalism: Of the People, For the People and Journalism Education and Media Literacy.
Want to Change the Media? Be a Lobbyist
Craig Aaron,
Huffington Post
Decisions being made now and in the next few years are going to shape the future of all media for a generation. They will decide if the Internet will remain open; if everyone will share in the benefits of broadband; if we're going to have a world-class public media system; and if we'll have any public service journalism. What we need is real change. And if we want real change, all of us are going to have to become lobbyists.
